The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?

A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.[1]

Proofs

[1] Romans 2:14–15; 10:5.

Comments

In our commentary on WSC 14, we note that the Laws of God revealed to men can be classified into three categories, namely: (1) The Judicial Laws; (2) The Ceremonial Laws; and (3) The Moral Laws. Another way of understanding the categories of the Law of God is given by A.A. Hodge, in The Confession of Faith, page 281. Hodge sees four categories in the Law: (1) Laws based on God’s nature and character. These cannot change and are perpetually binding on all men because God cannot change; (2) Laws based on God’s created order before the Fall, or Creation ordinance. These will remain valid and universal until the Second Coming of Christ. The doctrine of the covenant headship of husbands in marriages is one such creation ordinance. (3) Positive Laws. These Laws are based solely on the fact that God has commanded. The prohibition pertaining to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil falls into this category. There was nothing intrinsically evil about the forbidden fruit, but it was sin to eat it because God said so. (4) Laws based on unique and temporary circumstances, such as the situation of the nation of Israel. These Laws are invalidated once the circumstances are no longer existent. The ceremonial laws are abrogated because they were shadows of Christ, and Christ has appeared and completed His sacrifice. The civil laws pertaining to the land of Israel under the Old Covenant, such as the jubilee laws, the cities of refuge, etc., do not apply to Christians today.

The Moral Law of God falls under the first category. They are founded on God’s character and nature, and so are universally and permanently binding on all men. But how can it be binding on all men when not everyone has read the Bible or heard an exposition of the Law? The answer is found in the ‘proof-texts’ of our answer, namely Romans 2:14–15. The Moral Law of God is etched into the conscience of all men, whether Jews or Gentiles, Christians or non-Christians. Man is created in the image of God, and therefore has a moral consciousness. This is what distinguishes men from animals.

Under the Covenant of Works, salvation may be obtained by perfect and persistent obedience to the Moral Law of God. However, since the Fall, this was no longer possible. All men, excepting the Lord Jesus Christ, are not only imputed with the guilt of Adam but do inherit the corruption of his nature.

What, then, is the purpose of the Law today? John Calvin gives us three: Firstly, the Law shows God’s righteousness or the righteousness alone acceptable to God. And in so doing, it warns, informs, convicts, and lastly condemns, every man of his own unrighteousness (see ICR 2.7.6). In other words, it is like a portrait, drawing a picture of our Creator and His righteousness (cf. Rom 7:7), and also a mirror, displaying our unrighteousness (cf. Rom 3:20). Secondly, it restrains the unregenerate by its dire threats and compels them to Christ (see ICR 2.7.10–11). In other words, it is like a leash, retraining sin (cf. Rom 2:14–15) and a tutor’s rod leading the unregenerate to seek Christ (cf. Gal 3:24). Thirdly, the Law shows believers the nature of the Lord’s will, confirms in them the understanding of it, and urges them on in well-doing (ICR 2.7.12). In this regard, it is like a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps 119:105), as well as a goad to prod us on in our Christian walk (cf. Eccl 12:11). This third use is highlighted in our answer.