Talk:The Law

Bryan’s illustration

Bryan Lee, in a Sunday School lesson on WCF XIX, drew this on the whiteboard to illustrate the ceremonial, judicial, and moral law.

The “keep out” sign on the fenced off section is like the ceremonial law foreshadowing something new to come. You only need to keep out until construction is done, and then that law gets removed and you’re allowed to go to that part of the park again. We don’t have to abstain from eating pork or shellfish and we don’t have to practice animal sacrifice because those ceremonial rules foreshadowed Christ who has now come.

The sign with rules like “the park closes at 6pm” and “no children under 4 without a supervising adult” is like the judicial law. Different parks might have different park rules (they may close at a different time, they may or may not allow skateboards, etc.) and that’s okay. What’s good for one park may not work for another park. We don’t have to keep the judicial laws of Israel like how to repay someone when you steal their ox or sheep because we have our own judicial laws in the United States (or wherever we live) that govern those same sorts of things (and are more relevant for modern times and cultures).

But why don’t the park rules include things like, “while playing on the playground equipment, you should not murder any other kids”? Because the moral law is written on everyone’s heart. It’s already assumed that murder isn’t okay, so they don’t have to put it on the park sign. The moral law is like the foundation holding the whole park up. It is God’s perfect Law we will always be obligated to keep.

Uses of the Law

From the Westminster Larger Catechism:

Q. 95. Of what use is the moral law to all men?
A. The moral law is of use to all men, 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. Q. 96. What particular use is there of the moral law to unregenerate men?
A. The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come, and to drive them to Christ; or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable, and under the curse thereof.

Uses of the Law

From the Westminster Larger Catechism:

Q. 95. Of what use is the moral law to all men?
A. The moral law is of use to all men, 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.

Q. 96. What particular use is there of the moral law to unregenerate men?
A. The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come, and to drive them to Christ; or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable, and under the curse thereof.

Q. 97. What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?
A. Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works, so as thereby they are neither justified nor condemned; yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, 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; and thereby 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.