Second Use of the Law
Mirror of Sin
Law and Gospel · 6 verses
The law functions as a perfect mirror, reflecting with unbearable clarity the pollution and perversity of the human heart. It reveals not merely outward transgressions but the inward corruption from which all sin proceeds. Before this mirror, no one can maintain pretensions of goodness; every mouth is stopped and all the world stands guilty before God. This revelation of sin is necessary medicine, for those who are whole have no need of a physician.
Scripture References
“Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.”
“For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.”