Question 102: What is the first Commandment? Answer: Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Question 103: What does the Lord require in the first commandment? Answer: That I, not wanting to endanger my very salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry,(a) magic, superstitious rites,(b) and prayer to saints or to other creatures.(c) That I sincerely acknowledge the only true God,(d) trust him alone,(e) look to him for every good thing(f) humbly(g) and patiently,(h) love him,(i) fear him,(j) and honor him (k) with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against his will in any way. (l) (a) 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 10:5-14; 1 John 5:21 (b) Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-12 (c) Matt. 4:10; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9 (d) John 17:3 (e) Jer. 17:5, 7 (f) Ps. 104:27-28; James 1:17 (g) 1 Pet. 5:5-6 (h) Col. 1:11; Heb. 10:36 (i) Matt. 22:37 (Deut. 6:5) (j) Prov. 9:10; 1 Pet. 1:17 (k) Matt. 4:10 (Deut. 6:13) (l) Matt. 5:29-30; 10:37-39 Question 104: What is idolatry? Answer: Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in his Word.(a) (a) 1 Chron. 16:26; Gal. 4:8-9; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 3:19 |