As we learn this, we can look at all that is our neighbor’s and be content with, what our catechism calls, “a right and charitable frame of spirit” (WSC Q. 80). We can be genuinely happy for our neighbor’s sake, because we trust the providence of God. And we can be content with our own lot, knowing “we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out…” (1 Tim. 6:7).
Category Archives: The Ten Commandments
The Whole Truth
How does the truth of God’s Word set us free? Consider this: It is through God’s Word that we know the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, God’s Word reveals the truth that we are sinners by nature and evidenced by thought, word, and deed (Rom. 3:23).
Give and Take
The basic definition of stealing is taking “(another person’s property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.” What someone owns is theirs, and if you take it you are stealing. But stealing is not necessarily limited to property.
Worship According to God
God has graciously given us in this life His ordinary means of grace, of Word, sacrament, and prayer to worship Him. In this context, we may think of them as anti-idolatry means.
The Blessing of Authority
The reality is, however, that we have not honored our parents, or God-ordained authority, as we should, and fall far short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). The wages of our dishonoring disobedience is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Where we have failed, He fulfilled, honoring his earthly parents and honoring His heavenly Father in perfect obedience.
Life is Precious
The remedy for murder of head, heart, or hand then is love: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).
He Who Is God
Indeed, He is God and there are no others, but there are plenty of false gods that seek our attention and devotion. In Christ we have been redeemed as the sole possession of the one, true God.
Hallowed Be Your Name
To hallow is to praise, honor, bless, and even celebrate the name of the Lord our God. Consider the testimony of the psalms, for example: “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Ps. 29:2). What is His name due? Glory!
Covenant Faithfulness
Even the most faithful among us has been unfaithful to our Covenant-keeping God in thought, word, or deed (and likely all three). And yet, in his grace and mercy we see the gospel preached in the sacrament, leading us as spiritual adulterers by the grace of his Holy Spirit to renew our covenant with him.
Blessed and Holy is the Day
Do you seek to set your mind on things that are above, rather than earthly things (Col. 3:2)? Do you long to delight yourself in the Lord (Ps. 37:4), to be nourished on His means of grace and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)? Do you long to dwell in the house of the Lord, living with Him all the days of your life (Ps. 27:4)? “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. …[for] the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Planter, Pastor, Preacher 