THE CHRISTIAN LIFE — Christianity is not merely an accurate system of doctrine to be believed. It is also a supernatural life to be lived, experienced, and enjoyed by God’s people, both now and for all eternity. As the first question of our Shorter Catechism so beautifully states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” The blessed life which Christianity offers, however, must be defined exclusively by God’s inspired Word, the Bible, which is our only infallible rule for faith and life.
The Christian life also involves diligently pursuing the various means that God has appointed for our spiritual growth. As such, Vow 5 of our Covenant of Communicant Membership highlights every believer’s duty to “diligently read the Bible, engage in private prayer, keep the Lord’s Day, regularly attend the worship services, observe the appointed sacraments, and give to the Lord’s work as He shall prosper [us].”
GOD’S MORAL LAW — Our Lord Jesus Christ once declared, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Elsewhere, He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets,” making it clear that “whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:17-19). The true Christian, therefore, can and must confess with the Apostle John that “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).
God’s revealed will for our lives (or “moral law”) is summarized in the Ten Commandments, which are as universally binding today as when they were first given at Mount Sinai (Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:1-22) and later confirmed by our Lord and His apostles (Matt. 5:17-20; 22:35-40; Rom. 3:19).
Contrary to what many claim today, God’s moral law actually promotes the wellbeing of all mankind. In the words of Larger Catechism 95, it serves:
- To inform them of the holy nature and will of God, and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly;
- To convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives;
- To humble them in the sense of their sin and misery, and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and of the perfection of his obedience.
In addition, God’s moral law has a unique impact on those who presently reject the gospel. In the words of Larger Catechism 96, it serves:
- To awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come, and to drive them to Christ;
- To leave them inexcusable, and under the curse thereof, if they continue in the estate and way of sin.
Moreover, God’s moral law is especially useful to those who, through genuine faith in Christ, have been delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works. In the words of Larger Catechism 97, it serves:
- To show them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good;
- To provoke them to more thankfulness, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience.
In summary, God’s moral law shows everyone their desperate need for Christ’s perfect righteousness (Rom. 10:4), while at the same time urging justified believers to live a life of thankful obedience (1 Thes. 4:1-8; 2 Cor. 7:1).
As Reformed Presbyterians, we readily affirm our Larger Catechism‘s helpful exposition of the moral law (Questions 91-150). To learn more about the fourth commandment and our duty to keep the Sabbath (or “Lord’s Day”) holy, click HERE.
MORE THAN A LIST OF RULES — God has given us His moral law as our only authoritative rule of life and conduct. However, this fact must never be divorced from our intimate relationship to Him in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Nor should we overlook our utter dependence upon the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whom the Lord writes His law on our hearts.
As those who have been justified by faith in Christ and who are being sanctified by His Spirit, the Scriptures refer to us as:
- Adopted Children of God, who are being conformed to the image of our Heavenly Father’s holy character (Matt. 5:48; Eph. 4:24; 1 Pet. 1:16; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 4:7-8; 5:1-2);
- Blood-Bought Imitators of Christ, who are being conformed (as new creatures) to His image, example, and teachings (Luke 9:23; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 11:1; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17; Eph. 4:20-21; Phil. 2:5; Col. 3:10; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 John 2:5-6; 3:3, 16);
- Temples of the Holy Spirit, who inscribes His law on our hearts, causes us to love it, empowers us to kill sin, and enables us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Ps. 37:31; 51:10-12; 119:97; Jer. 31:33; Rom. 8:11-13; 1 Cor. 6:19; Phil. 2:12-13);
- Fruit-Bearing Trees or Branches, who bring forth good works solely by the nourishing, life-giving power of Christ and His Spirit (Ps. 1:1-3; 92:12-14; Matt. 7:16-20; John 15:1-10; Gal. 5:22-23);
- Adornments of the Gospel, who daily strive to walk “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 1:27; 2:15; Tit. 2:10);
- Imperfect, Sin-Stained Saints, who yearn to be perfected in holiness in the life to come (Rom. 7:22-24; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 12:23; 1 John 1:8-10);
- Pilgrims and Sojourners, traveling by grace along the narrow way and running the race that leads to our heavenly home (Ps. 84:5-7; 119:32, 54; Matt. 7:13-14; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Phil. 3:20-21; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; 1 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 11:9-10, 13-16, 35; 12:1-2).
Rather than stressing law for its own sake, the Scriptures emphasize law-keeping as a fruit of genuine love for Christ (John 14:15). Indeed, the very heart and soul of true biblical sanctification is to cultivate a deeper intimacy with the Savior, since it is by seeing and experiencing His glorious person that we are conformed to His glorious image (2 Cor. 3:18).
THE KINGSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST — The Scriptures declare that our risen Savior and ascended King has been made “head over all things for the church” with “all authority in heaven and on earth” as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Eph. 1:20-23; Matt. 28:18-20; Rev. 19:16).
Strictly speaking, our Lord’s “kingdom” is His church. However, in order to build His Church, God the Father has given Him supreme power and authority over all creation (Matt. 16:18; 28:18-20; Jn. 17:2). Larger Catechism 54 puts it this way:
Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favour with God the Father, with all fulness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth, and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth ministers and people with gifts and graces, and maketh intercession for them.
As the enthroned King, Priest, and Prophet of His Church, Jesus Christ must be honored by all and above all. This means that all mankind has a duty to believe on Him, worship Him, and observe His moral law in every sphere of life and vocation (e.g. family, church, and society). No aspect of life may be divorced from Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, since “all things were created through Him and for Him… that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Col. 1:16, 18). No nation that hears the gospel is exempt from these duties (Ps. 2:10-12).
The more any nation enjoys the saving blessings of King Jesus, the more its corporate life will conform to the spiritual priorities and ethical principles of His Word. Parents will become Christian parents; magistrates will become Christian magistrates; citizens will become Christian citizens; all will serve to advance His glorious agenda of grace and salvation in the world.
Of course, this does not mean that the family, the church, and the state may be equated or confused. While all three must cooperate for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom on earth, each has its own God-ordained sphere of operation that must remain distinct. One institution may, according to its own proper jurisdiction, insist that the others obey Christ, but it may not replace them or attempt to perform their unique God-given function.
For further study on this matter, consult the following resources:
