The Large Catechism – part 27
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:21–22
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for audio of today's lesson.
From the Confessions: The Large Catechism, Preface
The Ten Commandments of God
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (for the Lord will not hold guiltless those who take his name in vain).
3. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
4. Honor your father and mother (that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you).
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his workers, or his livestock, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Pulling It Together: I don’t have to keep the law. I’m a Christian and we don’t have to do that anymore. I have heard plenty of people, even pastors, say similar words. Vehemently.
Of course we have to keep the law. But we are not saved by doing so; we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Nonetheless, this does not give us license to forget the commandments. Were it not for the Ten Commandments, we would not recognize God’s grace or our need of it. The commandments drive us to God. They can and should therefore, help us remember the context of the First Commandment. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Exodus 20:2). When we put something or someone before God, when we take his name in vain, dishonor the Lord’s Day, disgrace our parents, murder (Matthew 5:21–22), commit adultery (Matthew 5:27–28), steal, lie, and covet, we had better keep the First Commandment. When, after disobeying the other nine commandments, we then, keep the first, putting him before such things by asking his forgiveness, we are even then keeping the law.
In the end, we discover that we can only keep the commandments for Christ’s sake, through faith.
Prayer: Give me the courageous humility, Lord, to fear, love, and trust you enough to ask for your forgiveness. Amen.
Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.
Share this post
Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
Click Here For Content Archives