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expected of us on each subject. Both the context of the expositions
and their content do not yet reflect Calvin‘s so-called ―third use of
the law.‖ The law as a guide for gratitude was a later development
in his thought.
For young Calvin there was already a well developed sense
that obedience is not mere external conformity to conscience and
the written law of God. He summarizes his exposition of the law,
saying, ―He lives the best and holiest life who lives and strives for
himself as little as he can; and . . . no one lives in a worse of more
evil manner than he who lives and strives for himself alone, and
thinks about and seeks only his own advantage.‖ 77 Thoughts as
well as ―inward affections‖ are commanded and forbidden the law,
he adds. Paul calls the law ―spiritual‖ in Romans 7:14 because it
demands obedience of the mind, soul, and will as well as external
conformity to the law. Keeping the law in this way is neither
optional nor advisory, as some say; it is obligatory for all. Nor
does keeping the law partially suffice, as others contend. Divine
righteousness demands ―what is whole and perfect, and
uncorrupted by any filth.‖ 78 But nothing we offer is. Even if
people were capable of partially perfect obedience, partial
righteousness cannot and does not compensate for even one sin.
Thus, all are at enmity with God. The law demonstrates, therefore,
that all people are under God‘s curse and condemnation. It is only
through faith in Christ that we acquire liberation from the
condemning power and bondage of the law. Salvation rests on
God‘s righteousness in keeping his promises, not on our
righteousness in keeping the law. ―By Christ‘s righteousness then
are we made righteous and become fulfillers of the law,‖ he
concludes. 79
From what he has said to this point in the first chapter of his
1536 edition of The Institutes, Calvin suggests that there are three
uses of the law. First, it convicts us of sin. Second, it restrains or
77 Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion—1536 Edition, p.29.
78 Ibid., p.31.
79 Ibid., p.34.