The Often Forgotten First Use of the Law (Curb)

It seems many times these days people love to talk about the second and third use of the law, but the first use gets brushed aside, or lumped in with one of the other two. This is because on one side confessional Lutherans are combating the legalist Evangelicals who only focus on the third use, so they want to make sure that the second use is emphasized to point to the Gospel. On the other side, some are combating the Antinomian-ish influence from the so-called radical Lutherans who subscribe to the Erlangen School of thought, who focus on the second use of law. Therefore, they want to make sure that the third use is emphasized. What people need to realize is that Lutheran doctrine is all about the middle way where errors on either side are to be recognized and avoided. We should not let an overreaction to an error on one side either push us to err on the other side, or neglect something important by only focusing on one thing. However, there is also the third use of the law that is distinct and needs to be recognized for a full picture of what the law does. It is often rightly pointed out that the law always condemns. Indeed the second use of the law is it's main function, since it points us to Jesus and the Gospel. However, the law does not only condemn. There are two other uses for the law that are distinct and important.

In Edward Koehler's book, A Summary of Christian Doctrine, he explains the first use of the law, "The Law is useful because it maintains external discipline and decency against wild and disobedient people. It curbs, holds back, and checks gross outbursts of sin to a certain degree." This does not beat down the sinner and show him his sin. Likewise, it does not instruct the Christian how to live per say, because no moral value is attached to the restraints. It just helps create some order in the fallen creation that would otherwise have total chaos.

As described last post, last post, Natural law keeps people in check. It does not necessarily tell them what they are doing is intrinsically wrong, but only that they will be punished for it. Koehler continues by saying, "The external civic righteousness of people does not proceed from the right motive, but it is a product of the [first] use of the law. Without it people would live like wild animals.... The revealed law also serves this purpose." As Luther explains in his Small Catechism:

"God threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments. Therefore we should dread His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments. Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and gladly do [zealously and diligently order our whole life] according to His commandments."

Therefore, while the first law is for the old Adam, it is not only for non-believers, but for everyone. In addition, it is important to remember that the preacher cannot "use" the law. The Holy Spirit decides how the law is used in the hearer. Lastly, the uses of the law are not what the law is, but are its functions, or what it does. The Law is actually God's Will for us, and its uses flow from that. It is what He wants us to do, so he wrote it on our hearts to obey authorities for civil order. However, we don't (indeed can't) follow it, so it shows us our need for a savior. Lastly, it instructs us how Christians should live (by following God's Will). After we are called home, the uses are no longer really needed. The will of humans will be perfectly in line with God's will, so everyone will just do it.