The law in its commanding power differs much from the gospel. The law says, “Do and you shall live; you shall, by performing personal and perfect obedience, entitle yourselves to eternal life” (see Matt. 19:17). Whereas the gospel says, “Live, for all is already done; all the righteousness, meritorious of eternal life for believers, is already fulfilled by the second Adam, their adorable surety. First, live in union and communion with Him, and then do—not for—but from life already received.” The law proceeds on the supposition that we still have all that we originally had and requires perfect obedience; the gospel supposes that we have nothing and furnishes us with all that the law demands. The former requires perfection from us but offers us no supply of strength to attain to it, whereas the latter teaches us that we have it in Christ and offers it to us as an inestimable gift of grace (Rom. 5:17).

John Colquhoun | A Treatise on the Law and Gospel (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books), 133.

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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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