Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord’s Day 44

113. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN THE TENTH COMMANDMENT?

     A. That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any one of God’s commandments should ever arise in my heart. Rather, with all my heart I should always hate sin and take pleasure in whatever is right.

114. Q. BUT CAN THOSE CONVERTED TO GOD OBEY THESE COMMANDMENTS PERFECTLY?

     A. No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience. Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose, they do begin to live according to all, not only some, of God’s commandments.

115. Q. NO ONE IN THIS LIFE CAN OBEY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS PERECTLY: WHY THEN DOES GOD WANT THEM PREACHED SO POINTEDLY?

     A. First, so that the longer we live the more we may come to know our sinfulness and the more eagerly look to Christ for forgiveness of sins and righteousness. Second, so that, while praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may never stop striving to be renewed more and more after God’s image, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.

As the Catechism brings the summary of the Ten Commandments to completion in today’s reading, we find helpful instruction as to the unity and purpose of the law.

Unity of the Law

James 2:10 says, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it”.  Likewise, Col. 3:5 states, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”  To disobey the tenth commandment is to disobey the first as well.  Covetousness, as well as a variety of other sins, is a form of idolatry in that we are holding something in such a high regard that we are putting it in place of God.  So then, when we covet, we are violating the first and second Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31).

Purpose of the Law

In that Q&A 114 remind the Christian of his inability to keep the law perfectly, what purpose then does the law fulfill in our lives?  Q&A 115 suggests the law produces an increased;

-       awareness of our sinfulness

-       recognition of our dependence on God for growth in Christlikeness

-       desire for such growth