The Unchanging Moral Law (Chapter 19, Paragraph 8)

“The moral law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others…”

This opening statement affirms the eternal authority of the moral law—God’s commandments are not temporary or obsolete. The law reflects God’s unchanging character, and because God does not change (Mal. 3:6), neither does His moral standard.

Many modern Christians struggle with the idea of law. Some wrongly think that grace and law are incompatible, or that Christ’s death nullified any need for moral obligations. But the Confession, rightly echoing Scripture, teaches that God’s moral law “forever binds all,” including both unbelievers and the justified.

For the unbeliever, the law exposes sin and reveals the need for salvation (Rom. 3:20). For the believer, the law guides sanctification and defines what it means to love God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37–40).

“…to the obedience thereof…”

This obedience is not a suggestion. God commands every person—regardless of culture, time period, or covenantal standing—to obey His moral law. The moral law is universally binding. Whether one has the written law (as in Israel) or the law written on the heart (as in Gentiles, Rom. 2:14–15), all are accountable.

“…and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it…”

The “matter” refers to the content—the specific moral requirements, such as honoring parents, avoiding murder, theft, adultery, and coveting. These moral obligations are not culturally relative; they are absolute because they are rooted in God’s nature.

“…but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it.”

The authority of the law comes not from tradition or religious institutions, but from God Himself. The law is binding because it is God’s command. He is Creator, Judge, and King. Therefore, disobedience to the law is rebellion against His rightful authority. This is true whether the command comes through Moses, Christ, or the apostles. The Law of God is His personal standard of holiness, issuing from His sovereign rule over all creation.

“Neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.”

Far from canceling the moral law, Christ confirms and strengthens it. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” Christ fulfilled the ceremonial and judicial aspects of the law, but He upheld the moral law, intensifying its spiritual meaning (e.g., equating lust with adultery and anger with murder).

Furthermore, the New Testament epistles repeatedly reinforce the moral commands of God—not for justification, but for sanctification. Romans 13, Ephesians 6, James 2, and 1 Peter 1 all reaffirm the abiding relevance of God’s moral requirements.

“Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned…”

This is the gospel safeguard: believers are no longer under the law as a covenant of works. That means we are not required to perfectly obey the law in order to be justified or accepted before God. Christ has already done that in our place. We are under grace (Rom. 6:14), not to be lawless, but to be liberated from the impossible demand of achieving righteousness by the law.

“…yet it is of great use to them, as well as to others…”

Even so, the law is “of great use.” It shows us what pleases God. It shapes our sanctification. It guards our walk. The Spirit uses the law to produce holiness. Our obedience is not legalistic, but loving. We obey because we are accepted—not in order to be accepted.

Application for the Believer:

The moral law of God is not a curse but a compass. It does not save you, but it directs you. It is not the foundation of your justification, but it is the evidence of your sanctification.

Do you love God's law? Do you see it as a burden or a blessing? Psalm 1 describes the blessed man as one who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. That is not legalism—that is love.

Christ did not die to make you free from holiness, but to make you holy. The freedom of the gospel is not lawlessness—it is the liberty to obey God with joy, no longer fearing condemnation, no longer seeking approval, but walking in fellowship with the One who has already loved you and redeemed you.

Let the Ten Commandments be etched not only in stone, but on your heart. Study them, not as a way to climb to heaven, but as a guide to walking with God. When you fall short, flee to Christ. When you desire to please your Father, walk according to His commandments.

The moral law is not your enemy. It is the gracious rule of your heavenly Father—a rule not of bondage, but of freedom, where Christ is your righteousness, and holiness is your aim.