What is required in the first commandment?
The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
Proofs
- The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God, (1 Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 26:17)
- and to worship and glorify him accordingly. (Matthew 4:10; Psalm 29:2)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is it our duty to know God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Know thou the God of thy fathers, (1 Chronicles 28:9)
And to acknowledge him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In all thy ways acknowledge him, (Proverbs 3:6)
Should we do this by an humble fear of him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I fear God, (Genesis 42:18)
And by an hearty confidence in him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I trust in thee, (Psalm 25:2)
And by an entire submission to him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Submit yourselves unto God, (James 4:7)
Practical response
Should we acknowledge God as our God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: One shall say I am the Lordβs, (Isaiah 44:5)
And as the only true God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye turned from idols to serve the living and true God, (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
Should we do this publicly and in the face of the world?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: And hast professed a good profession before many witnesses, (1 Timothy 6:12)
Should we do it with judgment and understanding?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Choose ye this day whom ye will serve, (Joshua 24:15)
Should ye do it joyfully and without regret?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The jailer rejoiced, believing in God with all his house, (Acts 16:34)
Should we do it sincerely and without deceit?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Son give me thine heart, (Proverbs 23:26)
Should we do it entirely and without reserve?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Caleb hath wholly followed the Lord, (Deuteronomy 1:36)
Should we do it resolutely and without hesitation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Nay, but we will serve the Lord, (Joshua 24:21)
And should we do it fixedly and without revolt?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: So will we not go back from thee, (Psalm 80:18)
Practical response
Should we give up ourselves to the will of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Here am I, let him do to me as seemeth him good, (2 Samuel 15:26)
And surrender ourselves to his government?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: By thee only will we make mention of thy name, (Isaiah 26:13)
And devote ourselves to his service?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Yield yourselves unto the Lord, and serve the Lord your God, (2 Chronicles 30:8)
And has God a just right to all this?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Of thine own have we given unto thee, (1 Chronicles 29:14)
Section 4
Is it enough that we verbally devote ourselves to the Lord?
Answer: No.
Proof: For we must vow and pay unto the Lord our God, (Psalm 76:11)
Must we therefore worship him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices unto God, (1 Peter 2:5)
Must we do this with the inward man?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Bless the Lord, O my soul, (Psalm 103:1)
And with the whole man?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: All that is within me bless his holy name, (Psalm 103:1)
And with a view to Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar, (Isaiah 56:7)
And by the assistance of the Spirit?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inward man, (Ephesians 3:16)
And in the way of his own appointments?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, (Matthew 15:9)
Practical response
Should we also glorify God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Should we do this by a constant attendance on his ordinances?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: All nations shall come and worship before thee, and shall glorify thy name, (Psalm 86:9)
And by an humble confession of our sins?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: My son, give glory to God, and make confession to him, (Joshua 7:19)
And by a regular course of obedience?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Herein is my Father glorified, if ye bring forth much fruit, (John 15:8)
And if called thereto by suffering for his sake?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God, (John 21:19)
And will this in the end redound to our own advantage?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For them that honour me, I will honour, (1 Samuel 2:30)