The Works of God

The Westminster Larger Catechism contains one reference to ‘disabled’ and two references to ‘disability.’  It was written in the 1640s.

Helpfully, rather than assigning those terms exclusively to people living with disabilities, it assigns them to everyone.  Basically, we are all sinful, incapable of addressing our sin, and incapable of behaving morally.  Thus, we all need God to act on our behalf even when we are hostile to him, to call us out of our sin, and to provide a righteousness which is not our own.

In other words, we need Jesus.

Thank you to Ligonier Ministries for posting the entire text of the Catechism.

Question 25: Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?Answer: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.

Question 72: What is justifying faith?
Answer: Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, not only assents to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receives and rests upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation. 

Question 95: Of what use is the moral law to all men?
Answer: The moral law is of use to all men, to inform them of the holy nature and will of God, and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly;to convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives; to humble them in the sense of their sin and misery, and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and of the perfection of his obedience.