The Law

he beholds · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 09:04 AM

I am not newly Reformed, but I think my understanding of the law is incomplete. I don't want to start this thread in the Law forum, because my questions may be way off/heretical, and I am not trying to create a new religion or offend the Confessions!

Does the Law do anything for us, now? Do we keep it (well, try) simply because it is what we know pleases God, and for no other reason, or does keeping it add something to our lives (blessings, etc.)? Does breaking the Law detract from our lives (remove blessings that could have been, or give curses, etc.)?

I guess that is my question: Can the Law add or subtract anything from our lives? What does it mean that Christ fulfilled the Law? That he completely fulfilled it, and it no longer is a legal necessity of ours, but it is something good to try to keep, sort of as a symbol of our love for Him, or that he fulfilled it, but only in a sense, where we must still attempt to fulfill it as well?

I do realize and accept fully that I will not be judged by the Law, but I have been made wholly acceptable to God by Christ's blood. I also believe that if I found myself breaking God's Law over and over, it may mean that I am not a Christian (though I do break God's Law over and over, and I know that I am a Christian--maybe this is actually something I accept but don't understand!).
I also believe that, pragmatically speaking, life is definitely better when the Law is kept.
I just don't know about spiritually. What does the Law do to us now?

Thanks, and hopefully that was coherent. I don't believe I'll be able to post follow up questions in this forum, which is why there are quite a few thoughts stranded together.
I appreciate any help♥

Scott1 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

he beholds

Does the Law do anything for us, now? Do we keep it (well, try) simply because it is what we know pleases God, and for no other reason, or does keeping it add something to our lives (blessings, etc.)? Does breaking the Law detract from our lives (remove blessings that could have been, or give curses, etc.)?

Quote:

Westminster Confession of Faith
Chapter XIX

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]

VII. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it;[21] the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely, and cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done.[22]

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***Joshua*** · #3 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 12:23 PM

Jessica, you may find these sermons helpful.