Nae chance

Have you ever seen someone attempt something and think - they have nae chance?  It could be on the sports pitch or going for a promotion at work, the odds seem stacked against them.  They have nae chance! What are our chances of keeping God's law?  Even for a day? Question 13 of the New City Catechism tells us we have 'nae chance'.

Q13.  Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?

A. Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word and deed.

Now, it might be easier to learn the short answer 'nae chance', but the full answer brings out some important points. Here's a few of those points to ponder:

• Thought, word and deed.

Breaking God's law is not simply about bad things we do.  It is about how we speak and think.  We might be able to get through a day, and everything seem OK.  In fact we are experts at presenting ourselves well, so others can look at us and thing - they are a good guy.  They are sorted.   However, if a video of our thoughts was played, the truth would come out.  No-one is perfect.

• Mere human

By using the expression 'mere human' the catechism leaves open the possibility that someone will be able to keep God's law perfectly.  When God takes on flesh - he is 'no mere human', and he is able to keep the law perfectly.

• We're not perfect, but we are consistent

Yet that doesn't mean we give up.   That we stop trying to keep God's law.  The truth is we can never keep God's law prefectly.  Rather than discourage us, that should set our expectation.  When we strive and fail, don't beat ourself up.  But look to God, and thank him for the hope and salvation we have in Jesus Christ.

• Since the fall

There was a time when things where different.  That leads us to the next question.