Calvin says that God
gave the law for three reasons: 1) to
bring “the elect to salvation” into repentance by the work of the Holy Spirit
(2.7.6); 2) to restrain those who seek to do evil and care little or nothing
for justice or mercy (2.7.10); 3) to teach the godly “the nature of the Lord’s
will” (2.7.12).
In 2.8, Calvin introduces the
Ten Commandments and gives a short explanation of each. The law of God, summarized in the Ten
Commandments, is God’s pure grace extended to us. The law was given to show us how God wants us
to live as His covenant people. We are
to consider each commandment to determine why it was given to us knowing that “each
commandment and prohibition always contain more than is expressed in words” (2.8.8, pg 374).
Humans are sinful. We fail to live in trust, love, and obedience
to God. But, God’s law contains God’s
promise of salvation addressed to the people of Israel. "...the Jews not only learned from the law what the true character of godliness was; but also that, since they saw themselves incapable of observing the law, they were in dread of judgment drawn inevitably though unwillingly to the Mediator" (2.8.1, pg 367).
Calvin said the law contained God's promise of salvation and continues to function as a positive teacher for all believers. Calvin believed that the Old Testament taught the story of how God reached out to His people and promised to be their Savior. This promise was fulfilled through Jesus Christ – the Mediator. He is the one that reconciles us to God. He is the only one who can bring salvation.
Calvin said the law contained God's promise of salvation and continues to function as a positive teacher for all believers. Calvin believed that the Old Testament taught the story of how God reached out to His people and promised to be their Savior. This promise was fulfilled through Jesus Christ – the Mediator. He is the one that reconciles us to God. He is the only one who can bring salvation.
The fourth commandment, says
Calvin, is in a different category then the others, for three reasons: 1) a
day of spiritual rest; 2) a day to be trained in piety; 3) a day for servants
from labor. The word sabbath
means “to cease” or “stop.” We are to stop striving and turn our heart to
God. We are to reflect on the fact that
God reigns over the world and puts us in our place as creatures and not
creator. Christians moved the day of
worship to Sunday in order to highlight Jesus Christ and his resurrection as
the ultimate sign of God’s reign, and anticipates the ultimate rest God gives
to us all. 
In Galatians Paul said,”For
the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your
neighbor as yourself’.” Calvin states
that “our life shall best conform to God’s will and the prescription of the law
when it is in every respect most fruitful for our brethren” (2.8.54, pg 417). Jesus Christ is the foundation of our ministry. We are to be "little Christs", carrying out the task of reflecting the mind of Christ in our relationships, both corporately and personally.
Lane Question: How does the law in general, and the fourth
commandment in particular, function in our Christian lives? Calvin believed that the law functioned as a
teacher for us all. In particular, the fourth
commandment, is meant to direct us to a day of rest and worship. However, since the revocation of the “blue
laws”, many have turned to a less disciplined observance of one particular day
a week to an observance of “sabbath” in which we consciously cultivate ways of
renewal, rest and worship.
My Question: Is Sabbath a “legalistic requirement” that
isn’t practical today? Are we succumbing
to the pressures of society when we no longer devote one day to “public and
private worship of God?”
