Is the law of the Lord perfect, and does it require that our obedience be perfect in its principles, parts, degrees, and continuance? It is impossible, then, that sincere obedience can entitle a sinner to eternal life. A man’s faith may be sincere, but if it is not perfect it cannot be a proper condition of life; it cannot procure for him a right to eternal life. His repentance also may be deep and sincere, but if it is not absolutely perfect, it cannot afford him the smallest title either to the progress or the consummation of life eternal.3 His obedience, in general, may be sincere, yet if it is not absolutely perfect, it cannot give him the smallest degree of title to eternal salvation. These cannot entitle him in the smallest degree to life, either according to the law as a covenant of works or as a rule of life. They are necessary as parts of salvation and as means of attaining complete salvation, but they cannot be the grounds of a man’s title to salvation. Nothing can be the ground of a believer’s title to salvation but the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, received by faith and imputed to him for justification.

John Colquhoun | A Treatise on the Law and Gospel (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books), 76.

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Post authored by:

• Tony Phelps

  

  Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at BA (University of Rhode Island) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. In 2015–18 he pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs. He is currently pastor of Living Hope (OPC). Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.

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