- #HC91 But what are good works? Only those which are done out of true faith, in accordance with the law of God, and to His glory, and not those based on our own opinion or on precepts of men.
- #HC92 What is the law of the LORD? 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 bondage. 1. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2. You shall not make for y...
- #HC93 How are these commandments divided? Into two parts. The first teaches us how to live in relation to God; the second, what duties we owe our neighbour.
- #HC94 What does the LORD require in the first commandment? That for the sake of my very salvation I avoid and flee all idolatry, witchcraft, superstition, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. Further, that I rightly come to know the only true God. trus...
- #HC95 What is idolatry? Idolatry is having or inventing something in which to put our trust instead of, or in addition to, the only true God who has revealed Himself in His Word.
- #HC96 What does God require in the second commandment? We are not to make an image of God in any way, nor to worship Him in any other manner than He has commanded in His Word.
- #HC97 May we then not make any image at all? God cannot and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Creatures may be portrayed, but God forbids us to make or have any images of them in order to worship them or to serve God through them.
- #HC98 But may images not be tolerated in the churches as âbooks for the laityâ? No, for we should not be wiser than God. He wants His people to be taught not by means of dumb images but by the living preaching of His Word.
- #HC99 What is required in the third commandment? We are not to blaspheme or to abuse the Name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor to share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders. In short, we must use the holy Name of God...
- #HC100 Is the blaspheming of Godâs Name by swearing and cursing such a grievous sin that God is angry also with those who do not prevent and forbid it as much as they can? Certainly, for no sin is greater or provokes Godâs wrath more than the blaspheming of His Name. That is why He commanded it to be punished with death.
- #HC101 But may we swear an oath by the Name of God in a godly manner? Yes, when the government demands it of its subjects, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote fidelity and truth, to Godâs glory and for our neighbourâs good. Such oath-taking i...
- #HC102 May we also swear by saints or other creatures? No. A lawful oath is a calling upon God, who alone knows the heart, to bear witness to the truth, and to punish me if I swear falsely. No creature is worthy of such honour.
- #HC103 What does God require in the fourth commandment? First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained and that, especially on the day of rest, I diligently attend the church of God to hear Godâs Word, to use the sacraments, to call p...
- #HC104 What does God require in the fifth commandment? That I show all honour, love, and faithfulness to my father and mother and to all those in authority over me, submit myself with due obedience to their good instruction and discipline, and also have p...
- #HC105 What does God require in the sixth commandment? I am not to dishonour, hate, injure, or kill my neighbour by thoughts, words, or gestures, and much less by deeds, whether personally or through another; rather, I am to put away all desire of revenge...
- #HC106 But does this commandment speak only of killing? By forbidding murder God teaches us that He hates the root of murder, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge, and that He regards all these as murder.
- #HC107 Is it enough, then, that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way? No. When God condemns envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves, to show patience, peace, gentleness, mercy, and friendliness toward him, to protect him from harm as m...
- #HC108 What does the seventh commandment teach us? That all unchastity is cursed by God. We must therefore detest it from the heart and live chaste and disciplined lives, both within and outside of holy marriage.
- #HC109 Does God in this commandment forbid nothing more than adultery and similar shameful sins? Since we, body and soul, are temples of the Holy Spirit, it is Godâs will that we keep ourselves pure and holy. Therefore He forbids all unchaste acts, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever...
- #HC110 What does God forbid in the eighth commandment? God forbids not only outright theft and robbery but also such wicked schemes and devices as false weights and measures, deceptive merchandising, counterfeit money, and usury; we must not defraud our n...
- #HC111 What does God require of you in this commandment? I must promote my neighbourâs good wherever I can and may, deal with him as I would like others to deal with me, and work faithfully so that I may be able to give to those in need.
- #HC112 What is required in the ninth commandment? I must not give false testimony against anyone, twist no oneâs words, not gossip or slander, nor condemn or join in condemning anyone rashly and unheard. Rather, I must avoid all lying and deceit as t...
- #HC113 What does the tenth commandment require of us? That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any of Godâs commandments should ever arise in our heart. Rather, we should always hate all sin with all our heart, and delight in all righteo...
- #HC114 But can those converted to God keep these commandments perfectly? No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience. Nevertheless, with earnest purpose they do begin to live not only according to some but to all the commandments of God.
- #HC115 If in this life no one can keep the ten commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly? First, that throughout our life we may more and more become aware of our sinful nature, and therefore seek more eagerly the forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ. Second, that we may be zeal...
- #HC116 Why is prayer necessary for Christians? Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us. Moreover, God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing as...
- #HC117 What belongs to a prayer which pleases God and is heard by Him? First, we must from the heart call upon the one true God only, who has revealed Himself in His Word, for all that He has commanded us to pray. Second, we must thoroughly know our need and misery, so t...
- #HC118 What has God commanded us to ask of Him? All the things we need for body and soul, as included in the prayer which Christ our Lord Himself taught us.
- #HC119 What is the Lordâs prayer? Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgive...
- #HC120 Why has Christ commanded us to address God as Our Father? To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer that childlike reverence and trust toward God which should be basic to our prayer: God has become our Father through Christ and will much less deny...
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