First Use of the Law
Civil Use
Law and Gospel · 6 verses
The law serves to establish and maintain civil order within human society, providing a framework for justice and governance. This political or civil function restrains outward wickedness and promotes external peace, enabling human community to exist despite universal depravity. Magistrates wield the sword as ministers of God's law, executing temporal judgment upon evildoers and thus preserving society from utter chaos.
Scripture References
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
“And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.”
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”