An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism Part 16

Nor dare we seek TO OBTAIN IT

UNDER THE PRETEXT OF A LEGAL RIGHT; that is, by ways which human laws allow and appear to sanction, but which are not right before G.o.d. [Matt.

23:14+] Nor dare we attempt to

ALIENATE (estrange), ENTICE or drive away from him his wife, servants, or cattle, by persuasion, flattery, falsehood, promises, threats, or force.

II. WHAT is COMMANDED.

a.s.sISTANCE AND SERVICE. We should

1. a.s.sIST AND SERVE HIM IN THE PRESERVATION OF HIS OWN. [Phil. 2:4+, Gal. 5:12] Instead of wis.h.i.+ng to get his property away from him, we should most heartily wish that he may be able to keep it, and should help him to retain it. We should

2. USE OUR ENDEAVORS THAT THEY who belong to him MAY REMAIN AND DISCHARGE THEIR DUTY TO HIM. We should help him to retain their affection and faithfulness. We should heartily wish them to remain, and persuade them to do so.

QUESTIONS.--1. Why may these two commandments be considered together? 2.

With what do they deal? 3. What is the object of these two commandments?

4. When only are we keeping G.o.d's commandments? 5. What is to be said about the natural state of the heart. 6. What do these commandments forbid? 7. What do they command? 8. Define coveting. 9. If we would avoid breaking this commandment, what must we not do? 10. How should we be of a.s.sistance and service to our neighbor?

SCRIPTURE VERSES.--Matt. 15:19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

I Sam. 16:7. The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

John 3:6. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Rom. 7:18, 19. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Jas. 1:14, 15. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own l.u.s.t, and enticed. Then when l.u.s.t hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Gal. 5:24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and l.u.s.ts.

Matt. 23:14. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore, ye shall receive the greater d.a.m.nation.

Phil. 2:4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

READING.--Naboth's Vineyard, I Kings 21:1-19.

ILl.u.s.tRATIONS.--_Coveting_: Ahab; David, II Sam. 12; Absalom, II Sam.

15. _a.s.sistance and Service_: Paul, Philemon 10-17.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE CONCLUSION OF THE COMMANDMENTS.

PUNISHMENT OR BLESSING.

_What does G.o.d declare concerning these Commandments?_

He says: "I the Lord thy G.o.d am a jealous G.o.d, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments."

_What in meant by this Declaration?_

G.o.d threatens to punish all those who transgress these commandments; we should therefore dread His displeasure and not act contrarily to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep them; we should therefore love and trust in him, and cheerfully do what he has commanded us.

A JEALOUS G.o.d. G.o.d claims our highest love, and is grieved and offended if we turn our affections away from Him and disobey His law. He will punish or bless men according as they hate or love Him: [Rom. 2:6-10, Deut. 11:26-28, Gal. 6:7-8] "to the third and fourth generation of them that hate him," and "unto thousands of them that love Him and keep His commandments."

I. PUNISHMENT.

G.o.d THREATENS TO PUNISH

1. _Whom?_ ALL THOSE WHO TRANSGRESS THESE COMMANDMENTS [Rom: 1:18+, Lev 26:14-15, Isa 59:2, Ezek. 18:4+, Rom. 6:23+] by commission, (doing what is forbidden) or omission (not doing what is commanded), whether it be transgression by deed or word or thought. Every transgression, great or small, is sin, and makes men guilty and punishable. [Gal. 3:10]

2. _Why?_ Because justice demands it. [Gal. 6:7+] G.o.d cannot be unjust.

He cannot overlook or excuse sin. [Eccl. 11:9] Earthly governments must and do punish offenders, or they would be unjust to those persons who obey the law. A law without a penalty would amount to nothing. G.o.d, who governs the universe, is and must be just. [Gen. 18:25+]

3. _How?_

_In this World_ G.o.d punishes sin by Pangs of Conscience; [Matt. 26:75, Matt. 27:3-4] Pains and Sufferings which are the results of wrong-doing, [Jer. 17:10] _e.g._, the results of drunkenness and licentiousness; Legal Penalties which the State, as G.o.d's servant to punish crime, inflicts by fines, imprisonment and hanging; [Rom. 13:4] Special Judgments upon individuals [1 Cor. 10:5] in the form of sickness, accidents and reverses, though we must remember that afflictions are not always a judgment, but are often sent upon the G.o.dly as a chastening; [Heb. 12:6+] General Judgments upon wicked communities, such as that which G.o.d sent upon Sodom and Gomorrah. [Gen. 19:24]

Children are often obliged to suffer for the sins of their parents.

[Jer. 31:29] If the children also are wicked, their sufferings are a punishment; [Ezek. 18:20, Prov. 3:12, Rom. 8:28] if they are G.o.dly, their sufferings are a chastening.

_In the Next World_ G.o.d will punish by Exclusion from Heaven and from His Presence; [Matt. 22:13] and by Eternal Misery in h.e.l.l. [Rev. 21:8, Matt. 25:41]

II. BLESSING.

G.o.d PROMISES GRACE AND EVERY BLESSING. [Rom. 2:10+]

1. _To Whom?_ TO ALL WHO KEEP THESE COMMANDMENTS. It is true, all men are sinners, and no one keeps these commandments perfectly. [Rom. 3:23+]

But the G.o.dly try earnestly to keep them, [I Cor. 9:27] and are truly sorry for every failure to do so. [Rom. 7:24] To them, therefore, G.o.d promises grace and every blessing.

2. _Why?_ G.o.d will bless them, not because they have earned a reward, but because He is merciful and gracious. [Ps. 103:11+, Joel 2:13] We cannot earn anything from G.o.d but punishment. His blessing is bestowed upon us solely as a gift of grace.

3. _How?_

_In this World_ G.o.d blesses the G.o.dly with: Peace of Heart; [John 14:27]

His Favor and Guidance; [Ps. 34:15+] True Success in Life; [Rom. 8:28]

and a Blessed Hope of Salvation. [Rev. 2:10+]

Children and remote descendants share in the blessing of G.o.dly ancestors.

_In the Next World_ G.o.d will grant them: Entrance into Heaven for Christ's Sake; [Matt. 25:34] and Eternal Glory and Blessedness. [John 14:2-3, Rev. 3:21]