From Discipleship Weekly

(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)

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A Word from Our Sponsor If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. -- John 7:37-38 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 3 - Thankfulness Week 44: The Tenth Commandment 113. Q. What is required in the tenth commandment? A. That there should never enter our heart even the least inclination or thought contrary to any commandment of God, but that we should always hate sin with our whole heart and find satisfaction and joy in all righteousness. [Ps. 19:7-14; 139:23-24; Rom. 7:7-8] 114. Q. But can those who are converted to God keep these commandments perfectly? A. No, for even the holiest of them make only a small beginning in obedience in this life. Nevertheless, they begin with serious purpose to conform not only to some, but to all the commandments of God. [Ps. 1:1-2; Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 7:14-15, 22-25; I Cor. 13:9; Phil. 3:12-16; I John 1:8] 115. Q. Why, then, does God have the ten commandments preached so strictly since no one can keep them in this life? A. First, that all our life long we may become increasingly aware of our sinfulness, and therefore more eagerly seek forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ. Second, that we may constantly and diligently pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that more and more we may be renewed in the image of God, until we attain the goal of perfection after this life. [Ps. 32:5; Rom. 3:19-26; 7:7, 24-25; I Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:12-14; I John 1:9; 3:1-3] Suggestions for discussion and review: 1. Read Genesis 3:1-7, Joshua 7:19-26, 2 Samuel 11 & 12, and Luke 12:13-21, and then answer the following: What wrong action (or actions) was each person guilty of, and what were the consequences of their action? What attitude, or state of mind, prompted their action? Even if they had never acted on it, would the attitude itself be wrong? 2. In your own words, write out the three uses of the Law (Q&A 115). Which of these best applies to you when you read, or think about, the commandments? * * * * * * * * * * Love is not a rare commodity; rather the more we love with the intense particularity of God's love, the more we discover that we have the capacity to love. -- Stanley Hauerwas