Grace Notes 2024-08-21

As Lutherans we faithfully teach that God’s Law has three functions. In shorthand the three uses are often taught: As a curb, as a mirror, and as a guide.

Briefly, functioning as a curb what is commanded, accompanied with the threat of punishment, restrains sin. It is not eliminated, but curbed. This usage of the Law is also known as the civil use for its obvious good in restraining the amount of theft, murder, adultery, false speech, etc. that takes place.

The second use is the spiritually most significant one. As a mirror that we look into the Law shows us our sin. It is accusatory. Although not very pleasant, it is meant to accuse and condemn so that it works contrition in us. That in turn is meant to lead us to the forgiveness of sin that Christ accomplished for us on the Cross. Here the Law shows us our sins (SOS) so that the Gospel can show us our Savior (SOS). All this leads to our salvation.

The third function is as a guide. Until the believer’s will completely conforms to God’s will, we shall need the Law to show and urge us to be about what God created us for and brings Him glory. The believer’s will shall only finally be conformed to God’s will when we go to be with Christ following our death, and when our resurrected bodies are translated into the Eternal Kingdom.

So, the Law is an absolutely good thing, to be treasured greatly, right along with the Gospel of promise. The only negative aspect to the Law is if we mistakenly believe and act like we can be justified (put right with God) by our ability to keep it. We can’t. We don’t. And we don’t earn our salvation!

The Law brings us to salvation, and once there it reliably curbs and guides us in God’s will all the days of our lives. What a treasure! We must continue to learn what God commands and teaches, even as we rely on faith for our salvation.

Since You Asked…

What do Lutherans believe is given in Holy Communion? 

“We believe, teach, and confess that in the Holy Supper the body and blood of Christ are truly and essentially present and are truly distributed and received with the bread and wine. We believe, teach, and confess that the words of the testament of Christ are to be understood in no other way than in their literal sense, and not as though the bread symbolized the absent body and the wine the absent blood of Christ, but that because of the sacramental union they are truly the body and blood of Christ” (Formula of Concord, Epitome, Art. VII.)

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10 that the bread is “a participation in the Lord’s body.” If the Lord’s body were not truly present, the bread would perhaps be a participation in his spirit. But Paul says it is a participation in his body!