Catechisms are wonderful teaching tools for Christians to familiarize themselves with the systematic truths of God’s Word. Here is a devotional based on question 50 of what is commonly called The Baptist Catechism as well as question 44 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Feel free to use this for family worship, Sunday school, or any other form of preparation for instructing God’s people.
The Baptist Catechism (1677) / Westminster Shorter Catechism (1646-1647)
Q50 (TBC) / Q44 (WSC): What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
A50 / A44: The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments.
Outline:
I. The Preface Itself
A44: The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us...
· Exodus 20:1-2, “And 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’.”
II. The Point Implied
A44: that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments.
A. Reverential Fear of God
A44: ...that because God is the Lord, and our God...therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments.
· James 4:12, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy.”
· I Peter 1:14-19, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
B. Affectional Love for God
A44:...that because God is the…Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments.
· Romans 2:4, “Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (cf. Luke 1:74-75)?”
· I Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
C. Fear of God and Love for God Go Together
· Hosea 3:5, “Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to His goodness in the latter days.”
· Psalm 116:1-2, “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”
· Psalm 103:2-3, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity.”
Summary: God’s preface to the Ten Commandments is a declaration of His saving mercy in delivering sinners from slavery. This teaches us that the giving of God’s law flows from His love and care for His people expressed in His gracious deliverance of them from bondage to sin. In return, God’s people ought to have a reverential fear of God, as well as an affectional love for God. On the one hand, Christians are bound to keep God’s commandments out of reverential fear of God because He is Lord. As our Lord, He has a right to declare His law and judge us according to its standard. He is the one true Lawgiver and Judge. His law flows from His holy character to which He graciously conforms those He redeems through the blood of Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 8:29). On the other hand, Christians are bound to keep God’s commandments out of affectional love for God in light of His loving redemption. Fear and love do not contradict. Fear teaches us to honor God for who He is. Love teaches us to love God for what He has done. The riches of God’s kindness expressed in the gospel lead us to repentance, that is the turning from sin, which is resisting temptation. This is what the preface to the Ten Commandments teaches us.