This week we begin with Question 16 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. Question 16: What is sin? Answer: Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law—resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. Do fish know that they are in water? They probably don’t. With wa

Question 15: Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose? Answer: That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior. The law of God points out our sins and points us to Christ. In this way, the law serves the gospel. But what if we are already believers in Christ? What is the law’s role for us then? First, it is im

Question 15: Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose? Answer: That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior. The law holds up God’s holy standard before us, and in so doing demonstrates how sinful we are. In this way, the law points us to our need for a Savior and prepares the way for us to rest in Christ a

This week we begin with Question 15 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. Question 15: Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose? Answer: That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior. If you have ever seen something that was the

Question 13: Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly? Answer: Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed. It is beyond our ability to understand how deep sin runs in us. We tend to think of sins as individual acts of wrongdoing that punctuate otherwise upright lives, but the Bible presents a different picture. Sin is not only specific deeds of lawbreaking, but it is also the environment

This week we come to Question 13 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. Question 13: Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly? Answer: Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed. Humanity was created innocent by God and placed in a garden-sanctuary to serve him and enjoy his presence. However, due to the tempt

Question 12: What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments? Answer: Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us. Our survey through the ten commandments has brought us face-to-face with the reality that God’s law is holy, righteous, and good, and we are not. Because we are in Adam, we have inherited sin and guilt from birth that issues forth in inner mo

Question 11: What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments? Answer: Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them. Eighth, that we do not take without pe

Question 11: What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments? Answer: Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them. Eighth, that we do not take without pe

This week we come to Question 11 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. Question 11: What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments? Answer: Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or

NOTE: I am modifying the answer on this question somewhat because I, along with the elders of Cornerstone, hold to a somewhat different understanding of the Sabbath than is presented in the catechism. Question 10: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments? Answer: Fourth, that we prioritize worship and rest and not live only for work, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and mother, submitting to their godly discipli

NOTE: I am modifying the answer on this question somewhat because I, along with the elders of Cornerstone, hold to a somewhat different understanding of the Sabbath than is presented in the catechism. Question 10: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments? Answer: Fourth, that we prioritize worship and rest and not live only for work, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and mother, submitting to their godly discipli

This week we come to Question 10 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. NOTE: I am modifying the answer on this question somewhat because my position on the Sabbath, together with my fellow elders at Cornerstone, represents a somewhat different understanding of the Sabbath than is presented in the catechism. Question 10: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments? Answer: Fourth, t

This week we come to Question 9 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. Question 9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments? Answer: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works. The Ten Comma

Question 8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments? Answer: 1. You shall have no other gods before me. 2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. 3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. 4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 5. Honor your father and your mother. 6. You shall not murder. 7. You shall not c

This week we come to Question 8 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. Question 8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments? Answer: 1. You shall have no other gods before me. 2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. 3. You shall not misuse the name

Question 7: What does the law of God require? Answer: Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done. The great theologian Augustine argued that the main part of virtue is having our loves properly ordered, so that we love that which is truly the highest good (namely, God) above all, and love all othe

This week we come to Question 7 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 1 (questions 1-20), which focuses on God, creation and the fall, and the law. Question 7: What does the law of God require? Answer: Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done. God’s law reflects his holy character. It is give

Sin is not merely particular acts we commit. It is the pervasive direction of our lives in Adam and a power that holds us in bondage.

What role does the law of God have in the lives of believers? We are not under the law, but it must continue to teach us.