ViaCrucis
Confessional Lutheran
- Oct 2, 2011
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The early Reformers deduced what they called the "three uses of the law" from Scripture. From the Lutheran tradition we have this in our confessions,
"Since the Law of God is useful, 1. not only to the end that external discipline and decency are maintained by it against wild, disobedient men; 2. likewise, that through it men are brought to a knowledge of their sins; 3. but also that, when they have been born anew by the Spirit of God, converted to the Lord, and thus the veil of Moses has been lifted from them, they live and walk in the law" - The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, Article VI
These three uses thus are:
1. To curb outward evil.
2. To reveal knowledge of our sin.
3. To establish our conduct as believes in Jesus.
However, while the third use does establish the law as the means of conduct for the Christian, this does not mean that we show ourselves righteous, holy, or spiritual by the law. And this because of the second use, that the law shows forth our sin.
Indeed, our Lord has said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments". So from this what do we receive? That only the obedient have faith in Christ, and thus by our works we can determine if we are just or unjust? Most certainly not.
However, look at this instead from the second use of the law: If we love Christ we will obey Him, and yet we do not obey Him. For we are, as St. Paul says in Romans 7, caught between these two things: The good that we want to do which we fail to do, and the evil that we do not want to do but do anyway.
And so Christ's word here condemns us, for the Law condemns us in our sin. And so by our failure to live obedient lives we show our own sinfulness, we have not loved the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.
The word here was not given to condemn, but the Law on account of sin produces condemnation,
"Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin." - Romans 7:13-14
So we are again reminded of our inability to be righteous by the commandment of God. The only righteousness which we have, as Christians, is the alien righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputed to us by grace through faith; this is the righteousness which is of faith. Thus,
"[W]e know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." - Galatians 2:16
Indeed, we have read,
"Now the law came in to increase the trespass," - Romans 5:20a
The Law does not produce righteousness in sinners, but rather increases sin. So where the commandment was given for life, it results in condemnation because of sin. So that the one who seeks to be righteous by obedience to God's command condemns himself, for by his sin he fails to do what he ought to do, and he does what he ought not do.
However, "but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20b-21
Not for the excuse for sin, but because where we are sinful, God is gracious. For Christ came to save sinners, and we must declare we are the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15)
As our Lord Jesus has told us, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)
And the Apostle having said, "God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
So let us reckon ourselves sinners, confessing our sin freely in faith that we are forgiven all our sins, just as it is written,
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10
And as forgiven sinners, we should therefore seek to walk in obedience to God's command, not by thinking we are holy or righteous by our efforts; but instead out of reverence to Christ and for love of our neighbor.
God doesn't need our good works, but our neighbor does.
By saying that we can determine our place before God through our efforts is to only bring condemnation, for the law brings condemnation on account of sin.
If we truly understand what God commands of us, then we must truly confess that we are sinners. The Law is preached to repentance and the mortification of our flesh, not to eternal life; it is the Gospel that is everlasting life and peace with God for sinners.
Never confuse these, the Law is not the Gospel, and the Gospel is not the Law.
For the Law is preached and sinners tremble, and there is no forgiveness, no pardon, no peace in it.
But the Gospel is preached and sinners receive forgiveness of sins in Christ who loves them and gave His life for them, that is, for you and me. And this is peace and joy and everlasting life and gladness from God as the loving and good Abba Father who meets us in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. "For every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights" (James 1:17)
It is not up to us to find out if we are saved by our conduct, but rather to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He saves you, trust in Him. He is Faithful.
Look to Jesus, and no where else.
-CryptoLutheran
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