An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
THE LAWGIVER.
9. _Good_; He is Love itself. [I John 4:8] He is kind even to the unthankful, [Matt. 5:45] merciful to the penitent soul for Jesus' sake, [John 3:16] and longsuffering toward the impenitent in order to lead them to repentance by His goodness. [II Pet. 3:9, Rom. 2:4] 10. _Faithful and True_; He can be absolutely relied upon to do all that He has promised or threatened. [Numb. 23:19] Because of the Majesty and Goodness of the Lord our God, we should FEAR and LOVE HIM, and KEEP His commandments. QUESTIONS--1. What do the introductory words show? 2. Of what do the words "I am" remind us? 3. What is the meaning of the Hebrew word translated "Lord"? 4. What do the words "thy God" express? 5. From what bondage has God delivered us? 6. Name and define God's attributes? 7. Why should we fear and love God? SCRIPTURE VERSES.--Exod. 3:14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM. Isa. 44:6. Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his Redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Ps. 90:1, 2. LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Mal. 3:6. For I am the LORD. I change not. Tit. 2:14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Jer. 31:3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Col. 1:13, 14. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. John 4:24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. READING.--Ps. 14: Ps. 121. "_Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul_." [Matt. 22:37] Thou shalt have no other gods before me. _What is meant by this commandment?_ We should fear, love and trust in God above all things. * * * * * THE GREAT COMMANDMENT. This is the great commandment of the Law, because it includes all the rest. [Matt. 22:37,38] Obedience to all the commandments must proceed from the love of God which the first commandment requires. [Rom. 13:9,10] Hence the explanation of the other nine begins with the words, "We should so fear and love God." This Commandment _forbids_ us to worship false gods, and _commands_ us to worship the true God by fearing, loving and trusting in Him above all things.
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