The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q43-62) is The
Means of Grace: The Commandments: The First Table. (see Harmony Index)
Sin takes one of two
forms—doing that which we ought not to do, and not doing that which we are
required to do (WSC Q14 and Rom. 7:15ff). We are most often mindful of
“crossing the line” in outward transgressions and sin. But failure to perform a
required duty is a more subtle sin. One reason for this is that the
consequences are not always apparent; so, in fact, the deaf ear or blind eye
approach may prove to be more deadly in the end. It has been said in story and
rhyme that it is not the things done but the things left undone that we most
often regret. Missed opportunities and time wasted (Eph. 5:16) are no less
harmful then outright transgressions and sinful rebellion. Thus this particular
catechism question presents what is forbidden in the first commandment.
As we prayerfully enter into this study we need to be reminded of
the words of James 4:17—“Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.” May
the Lord bless us according to his good pleasure, and may he cause us to be
faithful in true worship, honor, and praise of his holy name.
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WSC Q47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment
forbiddeth the denying[a], or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as
God[b], and our God[c]; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other,
which is due to him alone[d].
[a] Ps. 14:1
[b] Rom. 1:20-21
[c] Ps. 81:10-11
[d] Ezek. 8:16-18; Rom.
1:25
Question 47 asks what the
first commandment forbids, and answers that it forbids denying God or not
worshiping and glorifying him as the true God and our God. It also forbids
giving worship and glory, which he alone deserves, to anyone or anything else.
Comments and
considerations:
This catechism statement is
like the photographic negative of that found in Q46; it is the reverse of what
is required. With the advent of digital photography, we’ve almost forgotten how
photographs were produced on film (just as a record player makes no sense to a
teenager plugged in to an smartphone or mp3 player). The way photography used
to work was that images were exposed to a strip of cellulose film coated with
silver halide; a negative image was produced on the film and then exposed to
photographic paper; it was processed by the use of chemical solutions to form a
positive image in an opposing contrast to the original negative. It was a complicated
procedure, and a useful metaphor.
We, made in the image of God,
are required to know and acknowledge God
to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him
accordingly (WSC Q46). Until the
fall, that was not a problem; it became a problem when Adam became exposed and
responded to Satan’s temptation. At that point, the image of God went dark in
sin and unbelief (negative, to fit the metaphor). Now we need to be told what
is forbidden, since our sin-darkened and deceit-ridden hearts suppress the
truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). Our dull hearts need to hear spelled out
what consists of “want of conformity” (WSC Q14) to the first commandment: denying, or not worshipping and glorifying
the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to
any other, which is due to him alone.
There is no middle ground
here, no third option; you either do or you don’t worship and
glorify the true God as God, and make him your God; you either do or you
don’t give him that worship and glory which is due to him alone. There
is no opt-out feature or not-applicable box for the first (or any other) of
God’s commandments.
We are required to give the
Lord his due: “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name” (I Chron.
16:23-29). Yet “the fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1).
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and
Godhead, so that they [we] are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). As such, “all have
sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), having “exchanged the
truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the
Creator” (Rom. 1:25). This is a negative situation to say the least.
Returning to our metaphor,
how is this condition reversed? That old film process had a nickname; it was
called “wet photography,” as opposed to today’s “dry,” digital method. Wet
photography was just that; the film and processing, re-exposure and final
printing, went through a wet chemical bathing process to turn the negative
image into a positive, the image the camera focused upon and originally
captured. Though imperfect, the metaphor continues: We, by the precious blood
of the Lamb have been transferred and transformed “out of darkness into His
marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9). We “were washed, ...were sanctified, ... were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (I Cor.
6:11). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the
Holy Spirit” (Tit. 3:5). Thus we are being renewed or restored to the very
image of Christ, the beloved of the Father (Rom 8:29).
Training
Hearts and Teaching Minds Questions:
1.
Each of the Ten Commandments requires certain things (saying, they
must be done) and forbids other things (says those things are not allowed). The
commandment to have no other gods before God forbids several things, the first
of which is to deny him, to say that he does not exist. What does Ps. 14:1 say
about this? People who do not believe in God because no one can prove his
existence often make this position sound scientific and intelligent. According
to Ps. 14:1, how does God see this approach to understanding the reality of his
existence?
2.
There are many ways we can deny God. Atheism is an obvious one.
Other ways are more subtle, like saying one does believe but living as if one
does not. What does Is. 29:13 say about this?
3.
We can sin in doing something that God forbids, and/or by not
doing what God requires (see Q14). What does Heb. 10:25 say about the worship
of God?
4.
Read I Chron. 16:23-29. Verse 29 says, “Give unto the Lord the
glory due unto his name.” What does
it mean to give something that “is due”? What earthly examples can you list to
illustrate what it means to give something that is due?
5.
How does Rom. 1:21-25 differ from what is commanded in I Chron.
16:23-29? What is the result?
6.
Read Josh. 24:14-18. Do we face the same situations and
temptations today as described in this text? What does Joshua confess in verse
15 and warn the people that they should do?
Harmony of the Standards: WSC Q47 and WLC
Q105
WSC Q47.
What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The
first commandment forbiddeth the denying[a], or not worshipping and glorifying,
the true God as God[b], and our God[c]; and the giving of that worship and
glory to any other, which is due to him alone[d].
[a] Ps. 14:1.
[b] Rom. 1:20-21.
[c] Ps. 81:10-11.
[d] Ezek. 8:16-18; Rom. 1:25.
WLC
Q105. What are the sins forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the first commandment
are: atheism, in denying or not having a
God[a]; idolatry, in having or worshipping more gods than one, or any with, or
instead of the true God[b]; the not having and vouching him for God, and our
God[c]; the omission or neglect of anything due to him, required in this
commandment[d]; ignorance[e], forgetfulness[f], misapprehensions, false
opinions[g], unworthy and wicked thoughts of him[h]; bold and curious searching
into his secrets[i]; all profaneness[j], hatred of God[k]; self-love[l],
self-seeking[m], and all other inordinate and immoderate setting of our mind,
will, or affections upon other things, and taking them off from him in whole or
in part[n]; vain credulity[o], unbelief[p], heresy[q], misbelief[r], distrust[s],
despair[t], incorrigibleness, and insensibleness under judgments[u], hardness
of heart[v], pride[w], presumption[x], carnal security[y], tempting of God[z];
using unlawful means[aa], and trusting in lawful means[bb], carnal delights and
joys[cc], corrupt, blind, and indiscreet zeal[dd], lukewarmness[ee], and
deadness in the things of God[ff]; estranging ourselves, and apostatizing from
God[gg]; praying or giving any religious worship to saints, angels, or any
other creatures[hh]; all compacts and consulting with the devil[ii], and
hearkening to his suggestions[jj]; making men the lords of our faith and
conscience[kk]; slighting and despising God, and his commands[ll]; resisting
and grieving of his Spirit[mm], discontent and impatience at his dispensations,
charging him foolishly for the evils he inflicts on us[nn]; and ascribing the
praise of any good, we either are, have, or can do, to fortune, idols[oo],
ourselves[pp], or any other creature[qq].
[a] Ps. 14:1; Eph. 2:12.
[b] Jer. 2:27-28; Compared to I Thes. 1:9.
[c] Psa. 81:11.
[d] Isa. 43:22, 23.
[e] Jer. 4:22; Hos. 4:1, 6.
[f] Jer. 2:32; Psa. 50:22.
[g] Acts 17:23, 29.
[h] Ps. 50:21.
[i] Deut. 29:29.
[j] Tit. 1:16; Heb. 12:16.
[k] Rom. 1:30.
[l] II Tim. 3:2.
[m] Phil. 2:21.
[n] I John 2:15-16; I Sam. 2:29; Col. 2:2,5.
[o] I John 4:1.
[p] Heb. 3:12.
[q] Gal. 5:20; Tit. 3:10.
[r] Acts 26:9.
[s] Ps. 78:22.
[t] Ezek. 37:11.
[u] Jer. 5:3.
[v] Rom. 2:5.
[w] Jer. 13:15.
[x] Ps. 19:13.
[y] Zeph. 1:12.
[z] Matt. 4:7.
[aa] Rom. 3:8.
[bb] Jer. 17:5.
[cc] II Tim. 3:4.
[dd] Gal. 4:17; John 16:2; Rom. 10:2; Luke
9:54-55.
[ee] Rev. 3:16.
[ff] Rev. 3:1.
[gg] Ezek. 14:5; Isa. 1:4-5.
[hh] Hos. 4:12; Rev. 19:10; Col. 2:18; Rom. 1:25.
[ii] Lev. 20:6; I Sam. 28:7-11; Compared with I
Chron. 10:13, 14.
[jj] Acts 5:3.
[kk] Matt. 23:9.
[ll] Deut. 32:15; II Sam. 12:9; Prov. 13:13.
[mm] Acts 7:51; Eph. 4:30.
[nn] Psa 73:2, 3. See verses 13-15, 22.
[oo] Dan. 5:23.
[pp] Deut. 8:17; Dan. 4:30.
[qq] Hab. 1:16.
Question(s) for further study:
WLC
Q105 is more specific than WSC Q47 in asking what? The answer to WLC Q105 is quite expansive in
listing what Scripture defines as sins
forbidden in the first commandment.
Again, how many are actually listed and is it possible to place them
into categories?
