Article 1. The law of God is the perfect moral rule of righteousness, being a reflection of God's own holy and righteous nature. It is revealed in the ten commandments and throughout the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, and is written in the heart of all men, being witnessed to by their consciences.
Article 2. All persons, both justified and others, are obligated to obey this moral law, not only out of regard for the matter contained in it, but also in submission to the authority of God the Creator, who gave it. Moreover, Christ in the Gospel does not in any way dissolve the obligation, but rather strengthens it.
Article 3. Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned, yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that, as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly. It exposes the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives, so that by examining themselves by it, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin, together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of His obedience. It is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin, and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse threatened in the law. The promises of the law likewise show them God's approbation of obedience and what blessings they may expect upon the performance of this obedience, although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works. Thus, man's doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.
Article 4. The aforementioned uses of the law are in no way contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do freely and cheerfully that which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done.
Article 2. All persons, both justified and others, are obligated to obey this moral law, not only out of regard for the matter contained in it, but also in submission to the authority of God the Creator, who gave it. Moreover, Christ in the Gospel does not in any way dissolve the obligation, but rather strengthens it.
Article 3. Although true believers are not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned, yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that, as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly. It exposes the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives, so that by examining themselves by it, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin, together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of His obedience. It is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin, and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse threatened in the law. The promises of the law likewise show them God's approbation of obedience and what blessings they may expect upon the performance of this obedience, although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works. Thus, man's doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourages to the one and deters from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.
Article 4. The aforementioned uses of the law are in no way contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do freely and cheerfully that which the will of God, revealed in the law, requires to be done.
Q. What is the law of God?
A. The Decalogue or Ten Commandments.
Q. Why does God require His law to be preached exactly and severely, knowing that there is no man in this life able to keep it?
A. First, that we increasingly acknowledge the great proneness of our nature to sin and heartily desire forgiveness and righteousness in Christ. Second, that we do this always and so implore and crave from the Father the grace of His Holy Spirit. It is by this grace that we may be renewed, day by day, to the image and likeness of God. Once we depart out of this life, we will attain to that joyful perfection which is promised to us.
An Orthodox Catechism, Questions 97, 133.
