Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 13, 2022

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” – “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:16.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16.

——————

“A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.” Proverbs 14:5.

“16 There are six things which the LORD hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19.

“A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who tells lies will not escape.” Proverbs 19:5.

But, there is more to avoiding being a false witness, then just avoiding testifying falsely against someone in a court of law. For example, one can be a false witness by flattery which are lies.

“They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.” Psalm 12:2.

“There is nothing reliable in what they say;
Their inward part is destruction itself.
Their throat is an open grave;
They flatter with their tongue.” Psalm 5:9.

“A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26:28.

Q. 112.  What is required in the ninth commandment?

A.  That I bear false witness against no man, nor falsify any man’s words;  that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer;  that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly or unheard;  but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God;  likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly, and confess it;  also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor.  Heidelberg Catechism.

Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;”.  1 Corinthians 13:6.

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;  but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”  Ephesians 6:14-16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 12, 2022

“You shall not steal.” – “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” – “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:14.

“You shall not steal.”  Exodus 20:14.

———————

Do not think of excuses to steal such as “They do not need it.” or “I will do better with it than they will do with it.”  

Do not covet what belongs to your neighbor.  It is a sin itself (tenth commandment), and coveting will also tempt you to steal it.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7.

Such “wisdom” comes from below.  

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.”  James 3:14-16. 

Q. 110.  What doth God forbid in the eighth commandment?

A.  God forbids not only those thefts and robberies which are punishable by the magistrate;  but He comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor, whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God;  as also all covetousness, all abuse and waste of His gifts.

Q. 111.  But what doth God require in this commandment?

A.  That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may, and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others;  further also that I faithfully labor, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.  Heidelberg Catechism.

But, there is hope!

There is wisdom from above.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”  James 3:17.

There is the Holy Spirit.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  …  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:14 and 22-24.

In Paul’s Farewell Address to Ephesus, his last words were:  “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.  You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.  In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  Acts 20:32-35.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 11, 2022

“You shall not commit adultery.” – “Husbands, love your wives” – “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:14.

“You shall not commit adultery.”  Exodus 20:14.

———————-

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;  but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you;  for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you;  for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.”  Matthew 5:27-30.

“but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery;  and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”  Matthew 5:32.

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”  

The disciples *said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.”  But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.”  Matthew 19:9-11.

Q. 108.  What doth the seventh commandment teach us?

A.  That all uncleanness is accursed of God;  and that therefore we must with all our hearts detest the same, and live chastely and temperately, whether in holy wedlock or in single life.

Q. 109.  Doth God forbid in this commandment only adultery and such like gross sins?

A.  Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Ghost, He commands us to preserve them pure and holy;  therefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entice men thereto.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48.

But, there is hope!

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.  So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his own wife loves himself;  for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body.  FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.  This mystery is great;  but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.  Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”  Ephesians 5:25-32.

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:14-16.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Thus, there are two hopes in the preceding three Scriptures.  First, there is the hope that if husbands love their wives as themselves and wives respect their husbands, then we will be less likely to commit adultery.  Second, there is a deeper and more solid hope that by joining Christ, through God’s action, we will become holy and blameless.  We also see this in the following Scripture.    

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 9, 2022

“You shall not murder.” – “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” – “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness”

Today’s devotion comes Exodus 20:13. 

“You shall not murder.”  Exodus 20:13.   

—————-

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;  and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court;  and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”  Matthew 5:21.

Q. 105.  What doth God require in the sixth commandment?

A.  That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my neighbor, by myself or by another;  but that I lay aside all desire of revenge;  also, that I hurt not myself, nor willfully expose myself to any danger.  Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword to prevent murder.

Q. 106.  But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?

A.  In forbidding murder, God teaches us that He abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge;  and that He accounts all these as murder.

Q. 107.  But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?

A.  No;  for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves;  to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness towards him, and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies;  and that we do good, even to our enemies.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer;  and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.  We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us;  and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?  Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”  1 John 3:15-18. 

But, there is hope!

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:14-16.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”  Galatians 5:22-26. 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:10.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 8, 2022

“HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:12.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”  Exodus 20:12.

——————

Q. 104.  What doth God require in the fifth commandment?

A.  That I show all honor, love, and fidelity to my father and mother and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction with due obedience;  and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.  Heidelberg Catechism.

In the following Scripture, Jesus taught the importance of obeying the spirit of this fifth commandment and show love and fidelity to our father and mother.

“He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.  For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’;  and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’;  but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;  thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down;  and you do many things such as that.”  Mark 7:9-13.

“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.”  Colossians 3:20.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”  Ephesians 6:2.

The Old Testament concludes with the following Scripture which contains both a final warning and the promise that God will restore hearts of His elect.  But as a quick detour, we also do note this Scripture.  “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,”  2 Timothy 3:1-2.  

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace;  and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff;  and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”  “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings;  and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.  You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.

“Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.  He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a  curse.”  Malachi chapter 4.

And, the New Testament contains additional hope. Here is one example for the conclusion of this devotion.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  …  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, …”  Galatians 5:16 and 22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 7, 2022

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” – “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:8-11.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God;  in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.  For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day;  therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.”  Exodus 20:8-11.

—————–

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.

“The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:1-2.

“The Pharisees lay law upon law on the people:  “And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders;  but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”  Matthew 23:4.

In sharpest contrast, Christ tied up the heavy loads of the law and laid them on His own shoulders and gave us His Spirit as a yoke:  “in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”.  Romans 8:4.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”  John 5:39-40.

“Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”  Mark 2:27-28.

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”  Hebrews 4:9-11.

“Thus says the LORD,
“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” Jeremiah 6:16.

Other doctrine never rests, always fearing its salvation is based on what it does, either its works or at least its will.

But, Reformed Doctrine, always rests in the sense of always trusting God for providing all that it needs for salvation from beginning to end:  from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.  

Reformed Doctrine may labor.  “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain;  but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”  1 Corinthians 15:10. 

“LORD, You will establish peace for us,
Since You have also performed for us all our works.” Isaiah 26:12.

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8.

“Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 6, 2022

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:7.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”  Exodus 20:7.  

———–

Q. 99.  What is required in the third commandment?

A.  That we, not only by cursing or perjury, but also by rash swearing, must not profane or abuse the name of God;  nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others;  and, briefly, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence;  so that He may be rightly confessed and worshiped by us, and be glorified in all our words and works.

Q. 100.  Is then the profaning of God’s name by swearing and cursing so heinous a sin that His wrath is kindled against those who do not endeavor, as much as in them lies, to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing?

A.  It undoubtedly is, for there is no sin greater or more provoking to God than the profaning of His name;  and therefore He has commanded this sin to be punished with death.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“You shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone curses his God, then he will bear his sin.  Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death;  all the congregation shall certainly stone him.  The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.”  Leviticus 24:15-16.  

“If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, the LORD your God, then the LORD will bring extraordinary plagues on you and your descendants, even severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic sicknesses.”  Deuteronomy 28:58-59.

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5.

—————

But, there is hope!

God has given us His Word to inform us how great He is and how to properly use His name.

“Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.
4 The LORD is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.

5 Who is like the LORD our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.
9 He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the LORD!” Psalm chapter 113.

Jesus taught us how to pray.  

“Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.” Matthew 6:9.

The Holy Spirit will fill us, bear all the fruit of the Spirit in us, guide us in all truth, and will glorify God.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.”  John 16:13-14.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 5, 2022

“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” – “I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:4-6.

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them;  for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”   Exodus 20:4-6.

—————–

How easy it is for us to justify ourselves!  “I do not make idols!”

On August 10, 2022, I posted a devotion about this commandment, even being critical of another church for showing a popular art image of a smiling Jesus surrounded by children which image filled a huge screen in our worship service and stayed there during the blessing of the children.

But, just yesterday, I made an image (photograph) of a stained glass likeness of Jesus that I saw in front of a church that I was attending.  And, I even sent it in a text message to my children with a comment about how beautiful the front of the church was.  How hypocritical of me, particularly as a teacher!  How could I so lead my children astray!  

Please forgive me:  my Heavenly Father, my family, and my friends!

Here is a copy and paste of parts from that devotion until the words:  “the image of a god that is cute and that we prefer and can manipulate to our desires.”   

Q. 96.  What doth God require in the second commandment?

A.  That we in no wise represent God by images, nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.

Q. 97.  Are images then not at all to be made?

A.  God neither can nor may be represented by any means.  But as to creatures, though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make or have any resemblance of them either in order to worship them or to serve God by them.

Q. 98.  But may not images be tolerated in the churches as books to the laity?

A.  No;  for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have His people taught, not by dumb images, but by the lively preaching of His Word.  Heidelberg Catechism.

What do we need?  An art image or God’s word?

We should not need to explain possible reasons for the second commandment, but consider that if such images are allowed, our tendency is to be lazy and rely on them rather than diligently studying God’s word and relying on Scripture alone to form our beliefs of God.  

Or worse, we may leave the God of Scripture and worship an idol, the image of a god that is cute and that we prefer and can manipulate to our desires.   

Here is the link to Westminster Larger Confession and a cite to the place (Questions and Answers 108-110) where it teaches about this second commandment: 

https://www.apuritansmind.com/westminster-standards/larger-catechism/

But, there is hope!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9.  

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;  I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:25-27.

“For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”  1 Thessalonians 1:9-10.

“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”  1 John 5:21.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 4, 2022

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:1-3.

“Then God spoke all these words, saying,

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”  Exodus 20:1-3.

——————-  

We tend to rush to focus on the first commandment without first meditating on God’s statement of introduction to His Ten Commandments:  “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

In other words, if the LORD God was “only” the Almighty Sovereign LORD God, we should fear Him and have no other gods before Him and obey all of His commandments.  But, the LORD God first reminds us of His position as Heavenly Father to us.  He has brought us out of the house of slavery to sin and Satan and has brought us into a land of such abundant goodness.

Thus, we have an additional good reason to worship and obey Him. “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.” Romans 6:22.   

We may also rush to the next commandments without meditating on what this first commandment means.  “You shall have no other gods before Me.”  Both the Heidelberg Catechism and Westminster Larger Confession can help.  I will start with a copy and paste of only from the Heidelberg Catechism followed by a cite to the specific place in the Westminster Larger Confession followed by a direct link to it.

Q. 94.  What doth God enjoin in the first commandment?

A.  That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul, avoid and flee from all idolatry, sorcery, soothsaying, superstition, invocation of saints, or any other creatures;  and learn rightly to know the only true God; trust in Him alone, with humility and patience submit to Him;  expect all good things from Him only;  love, fear, and glorify Him with my whole heart;  so that I renounce and forsake all creatures, rather than commit even the least thing contrary to His will.

Q. 95.  What is idolatry?

A.  Idolatry is, instead of, or besides that one true God who has manifested Himself in His Word, to contrive or have any other object in which men place their trust.  Heidelberg Catechism.

Here is the cite and link to what Westminster Confession states about the first commandment:  Questions and Answers 104-106 –  https://www.apuritansmind.com/westminster-standards/larger-catechism/

“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”  Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL!  THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;  AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’  The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:28-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 2, 2022

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him And burns up His adversaries round about.” – “Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.”

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 19:16-25.

“So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.  And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire;  and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.  When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.  The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain;  and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.  Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.  Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them.”  Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’”  Then the LORD said to him, “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you;  but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break forth upon them.”  So Moses went down to the people and told them.”  Exodus 19:16-25.

————

“Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” Psalm 4:4.

“11 God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.” Psalm 7:11-13.

“4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.” Psalm 5:4-6.

“2 … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:2-3.

“6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.” Exodus 15:6-7.

“You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked;
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.” Psalm 9:5.

“16 The LORD has made Himself known;
He has executed judgment.
In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared. Higgaion Selah.

17 The wicked will return to Sheol,
Even all the nations who forget God.” Psalm 9:16-17.

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

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