29th April 2025

29th April 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Ecclesiastes 7v20)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


The time has come for us to complete our study of the Ten Commandments but before we move to pastures new there is one more question asked by the Larger Catechism. It is a question which speaks right to our spiritual need for it addresses our complete inability to keep God’s law perfectly. The catechism asks “Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?” 


I have met many people who would answer “Yes. Me. I have kept God’s commandments.” Such individuals are well meaning but they are sadly deluded. The catechism answers “No man is able, either of himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God; but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.”


That is an incredibly bleak but true summary of the human condition. There is no one alive who is able to keep God’s commands by his own strength. To clarify, it wasn’t always this way. Adam was the first man and he was able to keep the commandments of God fully. If he had done so then he and those after him would have enjoyed everlasting life. As we know, Adam did not obey and the rest is utterly tragic history.


Even so, it is essential that we understand that our obedience will never be perfect and it cannot save us. In the past I’ve referred to us as “unprofitable servants” who even on our best day fall far short of what is required. Brothers and sisters, I find this strangely refreshing because I know just how disobedient I often am. I couldn’t imagine a life filled with a daily quest to keep God’s law perfectly. We wouldn’t last a day on such a quest, in fact we wouldn’t last a minute.


I am so thankful for the Gospel which points us away from ourselves and onto Jesus. Christ’s obedience was actively and passively perfect. He is the true Adam who kept the law fully and therefore all who are in Christ by faith are counted as obedient by Almighty God. This is our only hope and good news for disobedient sinners. It frees us to obey not to achieve salvation but because we have been saved and now respond in gratitude.


To those reading these words still thinking that they will be proved good enough before God by their own imperfect works…it is time to turn to Christ. No one can keep God’s law perfectly and all who try will not stand in the judgement. Christ calls you to trust in Him and His finished work for in Jesus there is fullness of joy.  


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q70 What is the seventh commandment? The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
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