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. trust in Him alone, submit to Him with all humility and patience, expect all good from Him only, and love, fear, and honour Him with all my heart. In short, that I forsake all creatures rather than do the least thing against His will.
Proofs
- That for the sake of my very salvation I avoid and flee all idolatry, (1 Corinthians 6:9β10; 1 Corinthians 10:5β14; 1 John 5:21)
- witchcraft, superstition, (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:9β12)
- and prayer to saints or to other creatures. (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8β9)
- Further, that I rightly come to know the only true God. (John 17:3)
- trust in Him alone, (Jeremiah 17:5; Jeremiah 17:7)
- submit to Him with all humility (1 Peter 5:5β6)
- and patience, (Romans 5:3β4; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:14; Colossians 1:11; Hebrews 10:36)
- expect all good from Him only, (Psalm 104:27β28; Isaiah 45:7; James 1:17)
- and love, (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37)
- fear, (Deuteronomy 6:2; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Matthew 10:28; 1 Peter 1:17)
- and honour Him (Deuteronomy 6:13; Matthew 4:10; Deuteronomy 10:20)
- with all my heart. In short, that I forsake all creatures rather than do the least thing against His will. (Matthew 5:29β30; Matthew 10:37β39; Acts 5:29)