Lesson # 82-83—Breaking the Commandment

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Shorter Catechism Q & A # 82

Q. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

A. No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

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Shorter Catechism Q & A # 83

Q. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Memorize Q & As—Exposition

To keep God’s commandments is to obey his law which speaks of the righteous nature of God and his Creation before the fall. To break God’s commandments is to transgress his law, i.e., to rebel against God and his righteousness. Healing comes only from Christ who took the guilt and judgment we deserved. (Isaiah 53:5)

What does it mean?

Discuss the meaning of breaking God’s commandments in thought, word, and deed, according to:

• 1 Kings 8:46 (against God)
• Ecclesiastes 7:20 (none doeth good)
• 1 John 1:8, 10 (make God a liar)
• Galatians 5:17 (flesh vs Spirit)
• Genesis 6:5 (wickedness of man)
• Romans 3:9 (all under sin)
• James 3:2, 8 (deadly poison)

Discuss the meaning of sin according to:

• Ezekiel 8:6-15: Abominations=morally disgusting
• Psalm 78:17, 32, 56: Provoking God by disobedience or rebelling
• Psalm 19:13: Presumptuous=arrogant, presuming, inflated pride

What is our practice?

By Scripture, discerning what is right and what is wrong within us, rightly dividing the word of truth, fleeing evil, being an example to others of a repentant and faithful life (2 Tim. 2:14–22).

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“Though man has lost his power of obeying, God has not lost his right of commanding. If a master entrusts a servant with money to lay out, and the servant spends it dissolutely, may not the master justly demand it? God gave us power to keep the moral law, which by tampering with sin, we lost; but may not God still call for perfect obedience, or, in case of default, justly punish us?”

“He takes a sweet complacent delight in the law. ‘I delight in the law of God after the inward man.’ Rom 7:22. Greek: ‘I take pleasure in it.’ ‘O! how love I thy law.’ Psa 119:97. Though a Christian cannot keep God’s law, yet he loves his law; though he cannot serve God perfectly, yet he serves him willingly. (Thomas Watson)

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