Knowing me, knowing you!

It's been a while since I have blogged on the Catechism - apologies!  I thought that we would take a break from it in our services over the last couple of weeks, and so spread out the blogs...  but the question for this week ties in well with the theme of remembrance, so we need to get back on track. Let's look back to Question 9.

Q9. What does God require in the first, second and third commandment?

First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God.  Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly.  Third, that we treat God's name with fear and reverence, honouring also his Word and works.

The first 3 commandments focus on God, and in doing so, they teach us about ourselves too. The first commandment is so all encompassing, it seems as if there is no need for any of the rest.  It tells us - there is only one God.  He is alive and speaks the truth.  Knowing this should cause us to listen to him and honour him at all times. Yet, we have 10 commandments and we need all 10. The second commandment, tells us that we must avoid all idolatry.  Don't pay attention to all those little pretend gods which scramble for our attention.  Isn't it interesting that God needs to say this?  The fact he does, tells us something about who we are.  You see, even though we know there is only one true and living God, our hearts are wired to settle for something less.  We are too easily satisfied.  We settle for something good, but it is not the best. And then sometimes, when we do look to God, we choose to worship him in the way which pleases us best.  We make idols out of our favourite hymns, worship styles and ways of doing things.   That is wrong.  That is sinful.  And we must repent. As we move on, the third commandment warns us about how we speak about God.  He is the only true and living God - treat him with respect and honour.  We don't speak of him as an idea to be debated.  He is a person.  We don't run him down or forget to say thankyou for the things he has done.  We don't like it when people treat our name as mud, so we must not do so with God's name. Thinking on these commandments begins to open our minds to all that God requires of us.  It helps us see what we need to do, to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  It is worth chewing this over, seeing all that God requires of it.  The life he calls us to live. As you do so, remember to honour him by saying thank you for his greatest work.  The salvation he brings to rebels and law breakers, like me, through his Son Jesus Christ.