Theology Thursday
Q. 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
We have skipped a few. As much as doing twenty questions on the Ten Commandments would be beneficial - I do want to finish the Catechism in under a year!
At the heart of the law is a problem. Humanity are slaves to sin. In fact, it’s the law that reveals this very problem. If God’s laws are good. If they make for a better world. If they bring the blessings of God. If breaking them means curses and consequences. Then why do we break them?
Well, because we have a problem. We are slaves. Addicts to sin. We crave things that are harmful to us and to others. We were born addicted. No one is righteous, no not one. Though some resist more than others. We all daily break God’s commands.
But Jesus didn’t. He lived a perfect life and He receives the reward for keeping God’s commands. God blesses Him with eternal life. When we trust in Jesus, we are declared to be ‘in Him’. That means His perfect obedience covers our disobedience and we receive the blessings He earned.
At the same time, the Holy Spirit has changed us. Giving us a heart that is alive in faith rather than dead in sin. This change means that we can change to become more godly, righteous and obedient to God’s commands.
God in His grace has given sinners the answer to their deepest need. It’s Jesus.
For Today:
Pray:
Passages: Genesis 8:21, Romans 3, Matthew 5:19, Ephesians 2:1-3
A. No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
We have skipped a few. As much as doing twenty questions on the Ten Commandments would be beneficial - I do want to finish the Catechism in under a year!
At the heart of the law is a problem. Humanity are slaves to sin. In fact, it’s the law that reveals this very problem. If God’s laws are good. If they make for a better world. If they bring the blessings of God. If breaking them means curses and consequences. Then why do we break them?
Well, because we have a problem. We are slaves. Addicts to sin. We crave things that are harmful to us and to others. We were born addicted. No one is righteous, no not one. Though some resist more than others. We all daily break God’s commands.
But Jesus didn’t. He lived a perfect life and He receives the reward for keeping God’s commands. God blesses Him with eternal life. When we trust in Jesus, we are declared to be ‘in Him’. That means His perfect obedience covers our disobedience and we receive the blessings He earned.
At the same time, the Holy Spirit has changed us. Giving us a heart that is alive in faith rather than dead in sin. This change means that we can change to become more godly, righteous and obedient to God’s commands.
God in His grace has given sinners the answer to their deepest need. It’s Jesus.
For Today:
- What is one way you have broken God’s commands today?
- Could you imagine keeping God’s law perfectly?
- What is one way the Spirit is telling you to obey God’s commands?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that His commands and ways are good.
- Give thanks for Christ who was perfectly obedient and won for us the Father’s blessings.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others follow Jesus and obey God’s commands.
Passages: Genesis 8:21, Romans 3, Matthew 5:19, Ephesians 2:1-3
Posted in Theology Thursday
No Comments