Introduction In LD 34 and following, the catechism embarks on a discussion of the law. At first glance, you might think that it teaches about the Ten Commandments. Indeed, the Ten Commandments are the organizational principle of this part of the catechism. It is like a coat rack with ten pegs. But what is hanging … Continue reading The law of freedom (LD 34, q&a 92-93)
Tag: law
Do good works count? (LD 24)
Introduction How are we right with God? Last time we said that the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of our Lord Jesus Christ is imputed to us. Christian believers are saved in the only way possible: by the grace of God, who gave his only Son to sacrifice himself on our behalf. At the same time, … Continue reading Do good works count? (LD 24)
The holy gospel (LD 6, q&a 19)
Introduction The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour. He is the God-man who can and does take away our sin and misery, and gives us righteousness and life. Therefore we have great hope, both in life and in death, for body and soul. At this point the Catechism stops to ask an important question (q&a … Continue reading The holy gospel (LD 6, q&a 19)
The law of love (LD 2, q&a 3-5)
Introduction “What do you need in order to know to live and to die in the joy of the comfort that you belong to Jesus?” The catechism asked this in q&a 2. Its answer was: “First, how great my sins and misery are.” Only if we know how miserable we would be without Jesus, can … Continue reading The law of love (LD 2, q&a 3-5)
The three “uses of the law”
The law should drive us to Jesus Christ as our only hope of salvation. “The law is a kind of mirror,” wrote John Calvin (Inst. 2.7.7). In the light of its perfection we see our sin and failure. The church father Augustine wrote: “If the Spirit of grace is absent, the law is present only … Continue reading The three “uses of the law”