Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 149-151)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, we resumed our weekly Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC) in questions 149-151. All three of these questions and answers deal with hamartiology, the study of the doctrine of sin. Here is a brief review.

WLC 149  Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No man is able, either of himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God; but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Several erroneous doctrines are refuted in this question and answer: the Arminian doctrine of prevenient grace which is said to be an enabling grace to help one believe; the Roman Catholic view of sanctification wherein Christ’s righteousness is said to be infused in one’s justification; and the Wesleyan doctrine of Christian perfectionism wherein it is said a Christian may obtain perfected affections. The Bible, however, clear teaches the inability of people (including believers) to perfectly keep the Law of God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8).

Unfortunately, Reformed Christians have sometimes overreacted against the erroneous doctrines of Arminianism, Roman Catholicism, or Wesleyanism by maintaining that Christians continue in their total depravity after conversion; however, this is not the case. Born again Christians are described in Scripture as new creations (Galatians 6:15) and new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) who are able to obey God’s commandments and do good works that are pleasing in His sight (Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 31:20-21).

Yet, while not continuing in total depravity or original sin (the corruption of man’s whole nature, WSC 18) and able to do good works, Christians do continue to sin daily in thought, word, and deed. This is a result what the Westminster Standards refer to as “some remnants of corruption in every part” of man (WCF 13:2) or “the remnants of sin abiding in every part” of believers (WLC 78).

WLC 150  Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?
A. All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous, but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Due to a certain reading of some specific passages of Scripture (e.g., James 2:10; Matthew 5:28), some believe that every sin is equally heinous. Yet, while it is true that there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation (WCF 15:4; WLC 152; Roman 6:23), Scripture also teaches that some sins are more heinous in God’s sight than others (John 19:11; Matthew 23:23; James 3:1).

WLC 151  What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?
A. Sins receive their aggravations 1. From the persons offending: if they be of riper age, greater experience or grace, eminent for profession, gifts, place, office, guides to others, and whose example is likely to be followed by others. 2. From the parties offended: if immediately against God, his attributes, and worship; against Christ, and his grace; the Holy Spirit, his witness, and workings; against superiors, men of eminency, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; against any of the saints, particularly weak brethren, the souls of them, or any other, and the common good of all or many. 3. From the nature and quality of the offence: if it be against the express letter of the law, break many commandments, contain in it many sins: if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions, scandalize others, and admit of no reparation: if against means, mercies, judgments, light of nature, conviction of consciousness, publick or private admonition, censures of the church, civil punishments; and our prayers, purposes, promises, vows, covenants, and engagements to God or men: if done deliberately, wilfully, presumptuously, impudently, boastingly, maliciously, frequently, obstinately, with delight, continuance, or relapsing after repentance. 4. From circumstances of time and place: if on the Lord’s day, or other times of divine worship; or immediately before or after these, or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages: if in publick, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.

This is one of the longest questions and answers in the WLC and contains more Scripture proof texts than any other. It can be easy to get lost in this answer, but basically, there four broad categories of aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others: (1) From the persons offending (1 Corinthians 5:1; Ecclesiastes 4:13); (2) From the parties offended (Jude 1:8; 1 Corinthians 8:11-12; Romans 14:21); (3) From the nature and quality of the offence (1 Timothy 6:10; Proverbs 6:32-35); and (4) From circumstances of time and place (Proverbs 7:14; 1 Corinthians 11:20).

Conclusion

The study of the doctrine of sin is not usually an enjoyable thing; however, it is necessary for our understanding of our sinfulness and lost condition. It is only when we come to understand our helpless condition that we will come to see our need of repentance, faith, and the means of grace that the gracious Lord gives to us. This is the next section of the WLC. I hope you will join us!

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch