God's Law & Its Uses

God's Law & Its Uses

(Thoughts, Scripture, and Orthodox, Historical Teaching): 

The Law

1. exposes sin and drives us to Christ 
2. acts as restraint and evidences what is and is not right in society
3. illuminates love or lack thereof of God and our neighbors.

This post focuses primarily on the uses of the law as it applies to believers.

The Law cannot justify and it cannot sanctify. For the believer it is no longer, Do this and live, but Live and do this. This is not new teaching, but something that orthodox teachers have believed for generations. Moreover, it was enforced by Jesus, our Lord and Savior, when He said, If you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

The imperatives of Scripture (not Levitical) reflect the moral Law of God, summarized by the I Am to Moses in ten commandments (Exodus 20) and by the I Am in the New Testament in two great commandments (Matt 22:36-40). Suggesting that Christ's Law is something other than what falls into this designation, can be spiritualizing what is clearly laid out, and outside of the bounds of how Scripture defines the Law.

When we are born of the Spirit, we walk in the Spirit, and caused to walk in God's statutes (His rules and Law). (Ezekiel 36:27). Not that we can or will keep it perfectly, but will grow in grace until glory. Be ye holy, for I am holy. The Lord didn't save us so that we could deny His law, live in sin, never repent, or make some mystical thing out of obedience. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, because we are no longer trying to please Him in the flesh, but walk in obedience as beloved children (Eph 5:1), by the power of the Spirit. Beware of gnostic, spiritualized, antinomian dispensationalism. Heterodoxy leads to heteropraxy, meaning, bad teaching leads to bad conduct.

The Word of God is the ordinary means by which the Spirit speaks to, sanctifies (Gospel), and matures His people. His Law is perfect, converting the soul (Psalm 19:7), and serves to always: before conversion, and in sanctification, convict us of sin, and lead to repentance. Repentance is not a one time event, but lifelong.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (written to regenerate Christians)
I had not known sin, but by the law. Romans 7:7 (Written by Paul in His sanctified state)

114. Q. But can those converted to God keep these commandments perfectly?
A. No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning
of this obedience. 1 Nevertheless, with earnest purpose
they do begin to live not only according to some but to all the commandments of God. 2
1.Eccles 7:20; Rom 7:14, 15; 1 Cor 13:9; 1 Jn 1:8.
2.Ps 1:1, 2; Rom 7:22-25; Phil 3:12-16.
115. Q. If in this life no one can keep the ten commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly?
A. First, so that throughout our life we may more and more become aware of our sinful nature, and therefore seek more eagerly
the forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ. 1
A. First, so that throughout our life we may more and more become aware of our sinful nature,and therefore seek more eagerly so that, while praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may never stop striving to be renewed more and more after God's image, until after this life we reach the goal of perfection. 2
1.Ps 32:5; Rom 3:19-26; 7:7, 24, 25; 1 Jn 1:9.
2.1 Cor 9:24; Phil 3:12-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3.#Heidelberg

Chapter XIX Of the Law of God
VI. Although true believers be not under the law, as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified, or condemned;[11] yet is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly;[12] discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts and lives;[13] so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin,[14] together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of His obedience.[15] It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin:[16] and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve; and what afflictions, in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law.[17] The promises of it, in like manner, show them God's approbation of obedience,and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof:[18] although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works.[19] So as, a man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law: and not under grace.[20] #WCF

Chapter 19 The Law of God
2.The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man. ( Romans 2:14, 15; Deuteronomy 10:4 )
6.Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned, yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives, so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against, sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his obedience; it is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The promises of it likewise shew them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man's doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.
( Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:4; Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7, etc; Romans 6:12-14; 1 Peter 3:8-13 )
#LBCF

"Another lawful use of the law is, to consult it as a rule and pattern by which to regulate our spirit and conversation. The grace of God, received by faith, will dispose us to obedience in general, but through remaining darkness and ignorance we are much at a loss as to particulars. We are therefore sent to the law, that we may learn how to walk worthy of God, who has called us to his kingdom and glory; and every precept has its proper place and use" (John Newton: Letters, p. 47).

Commentary on Romans 7:14-17
Compared with the holy rule of conduct in the law of God, the apostle found himself so very far short of perfection, that he seemed to be carnal; like a man who is sold against his will to a hated master, from whom he cannot set himself at liberty. A real Christian unwillingly serves this hated master, yet cannot shake off the galling chain, till his powerful and gracious Friend above, rescues him. The remaining evil of his heart is a real and humbling hinderance to his serving God as angels do and the spirits of just made perfect. This strong language was the result of St. Paul's great advance in holiness, and the depth of his self-abasement and hatred of sin. If we do not understand this language, it is because we are so far beneath him in holiness, knowledge of the spirituality of #GodsLaw, and the evil of our own hearts, and hatred of moral evil. And many believers have adopted the apostle's language, showing that it is suitable to their deep feelings of abhorrence of sin, and self-abasement. The apostle enlarges on the conflict he daily maintained with the remainder of his original depravity. He was frequently led into tempers, words, or actions, which he did not approve or allow in his renewed judgment and affections. By distinguishing his real self, his spiritual part, from the self, or flesh, in which sin dwelt, and by observing that the evil actions were done, not by him, but by sin dwelling in him, the apostle did not mean that men are not accountable for their sins, but he teaches the evil of their sins, by showing that they are all done against reason and conscience. Sin dwelling in a man, does not prove its ruling, or having dominion over him. If a man dwells in a city, or in a country, still he may not rule there.#MatthewHenry

Its [the Law's] third function is to guide the regenerate into the good works that God has planned for them (Eph. 2:10). The law tells God’s children what will please their heavenly Father. It could be called their family code. Christ was speaking of this third use of the law when He said that those who become His disciples must be taught to do all that He had commanded (Matt. 28:20), and that obedience to His commands will prove the reality of one’s love for Him (John 14:15). The Christian is free from the law as a system of salvation (Rom. 6:14; 7:4, 6; 1 Cor. 9:20; Gal. 2:15-19, 3:25), but is “under the law of Christ” as a rule of life (1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).” #Ligoneer

The Law of God has no power in itself to save or justify anyone, but it is used by the Holy

Spirit to convert the soul (Psalm 19), and convict of sin, leading the sanctified believer to confess and repent (Romans 7, I John 1). It serves to illuminate what is and what is not loving toward God and our neighbors. Obedience is a promised benefit of the Gospel to God's children (Ezekiel 36:27)

Ramifications:
Christians who suggest the idea of no Law for believers must consider the ramifications of that.
Just a few:
*Undermines the holiness of God, which the Law reflects.
*Undermines the holiness of His children, which is a gospel benefit
*Undermines the existence of sin, by leaving it undefined and spiritualized.
*Undermines the necessity of ongoing confession.
*Undermines the necessity of ongoing repentance.
*Leads to antinomianism.
*Leads to legalism.

Repetition of the Law in the NT:

How many of the OT commandments (Law) are repeated in the New?

violation 1st , 2nd commandment: : Romans 1: 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Gentiles guilty!

1st Commandment Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

2nd Commandment Galatians 5:10 *idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an *idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

3rd commandment: 1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

4th commandment: 1 Cor. 16:2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (Reformed position)

5th commandment: Romans 1:29-30 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, ... inventors of evil, *disobedient to parents,
Ephesians 6: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

6th commandment: Rom Romans 13:9
6th commandment: Thou shalt not kill,
7th commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery,
6th commandment: Thou shalt not kill,
8th commandment Thou shalt not steal,
9th commandment Thou shalt not bear false witness,
10th commandment Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

5th, 8th & 9th Commandment - Then he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS; 19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. (Matthew 19:18-19) NASB 

We conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law; and so he is dead to the law,” (Rom. 3:28,31). Now, does this doctrine destroy our living to God? Nay, “Do you make void the law, through faith? God forbid! Yes, we establish the law:” We establish it as a covenant of works, while we believe in Christ for righteousness, to be imputed for our justification; and we establish it a rule of life, and holiness, while we believe in Christ for strength, to be imparted for our sanctification; and so being dead to the law, in point of justification, we live unto God in sanctification." #RalphErskine

Additional Resources on This Subject:
1. The Threefold Use of the Law: Blog Post from Ligonier:  http://www.ligonier.org/blog/threefold-use-law/
2. Law, Gospel, and Three Uses of the Law: Scott Clark: The Heidelblog: https://heidelblog.net/2013/07/law-and-gospel-and-the-third-use-of-the-law/