Christ requires that believers desire and endeavour to yield perfect obedience to all the Ten Commandments
Christ requires that believers desire and endeavour to yield
perfect obedience to all the Ten Commandments
Evan. I answer, yes. For though God in Christ does not require of you or any true believer, any obedience to the law at all, by way of satisfaction to his justice — for Christ has fully done that already — yet he does require that every true believer purpose, desire, and endeavour to do their best to keep all Ten Commandments perfectly, as I have expounded them this day. Witness what Christ himself says in Mat. 5.48: “Be perfect therefore, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Neo. But, sir, do you think it is possible for me or any other believer to keep the commandments perfectly, as you have expounded them this day?
Evan. O no! You and I, and all other believers, have and will have cause to say with the apostle, Philip. 3.12, “Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect.”
Neo. But will God in Christ accept my obedience, if it is not perfect?
Evan. Yes, neighbour Neophytus. Being a justified person, and it not being for justification, but for child-like obedience, I may say to you without fear of danger, that God will accept the will for the deed, and he “will spare you as a man spares his own son who serves him,” Mal. 3.17. Yes, as a father pities his children, so the Lord will pity you, “for he knows your frame, he remembers that you are dust,” Psalm 103.13, 14. Indeed, he will not only spare you and pity you for what you do not do, but he will also reward you for what you do.
Neo. Do you say so, sir? Then I beseech you, tell me what this reward will be.