Luther's Small Catechism Part 5

We should fear, love, and trust in G.o.d above all things.

_19. What does the first commandment forbid?_

It forbids the wors.h.i.+p of strange G.o.ds, or idols.

=Matt. 4:10. Thou shalt wors.h.i.+p the Lord thy G.o.d, and him only shalt thou serve.=

_20. What is meant by an idol?_

Anything that man wors.h.i.+ps, fears, loves, and trusts in instead of the one true G.o.d.

_21. Who practice idolatry openly?_

They who wors.h.i.+p the created things instead of the Creator, and pray to the sun, the moon, stars, images, angels, or saints.

=Rom. 1:25. They changed the truth of G.o.d into a lie, and wors.h.i.+pped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.=

_22. Who practice idolatry secretly?_

They who turn their _love_, _fear_, and _trust_ from the living G.o.d, that they may secretly cling to something else than Him.

_23. Whom do all idolaters really serve?_

They serve the devil who is the father of lies, and the lord of all impenitent and hardened sinners.

=1 John 3:8. [R. V.] He that doeth sin is of the devil.=

=2 Cor. 4:4. [R. V.] The G.o.d of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving.=

_24. What does G.o.d require of us in the first commandment?_

We should fear, love, and trust in G.o.d above all things.

_25. Upon what does G.o.d then really look?_

Upon the att.i.tude of our hearts toward Him.

=Prov. 23:26. My son, give me thine heart.=

=Prov. 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.=

_26. When do we fear G.o.d?_

We fear G.o.d when we think so highly of Him, that we are afraid of offending Him by any wrongdoing.

=Ps. 33:8. Let all the earth fear the Lord!=

_27. Of how many kinds is the fear of G.o.d?_

Of two kinds: slavish fear and child-like fear.

_28. What is meant by slavish fear?_

When we fear G.o.d because we are afraid of punishment.

_29. What is meant by child-like fear?_

When we love G.o.d so dearly that we wish to do nothing that is against His will.

=Gen. 39:9. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against G.o.d?=

=1 John 4:18. Perfect love casteth out fear.=

_30. Who fear G.o.d in this manner?_

G.o.d's children only.

=Rom. 8:15. [R. V.] Ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.=

_31. When do we love G.o.d?_

We love G.o.d when He is dearer to us than all else, so that we have no true joy except in Him, and gladly submit to His will in all things.

=Ps. 18:1. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.=

=Ps. 73:25, 26. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but G.o.d is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.=

_32. Can we love G.o.d and the world at the same time?_

By no means.

=Matt. 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve G.o.d and mammon.=

=1 John. 2:15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.=

_33. Why must we love G.o.d?_

We must love G.o.d because of His goodness toward us.

=Matt. 19:17. There is none good but one, that is G.o.d.=

=1 John 4:19. We love him, because He first loved us.=

_34. Whereby is it seen that we love G.o.d?_

By a holy life.

=John 14:21. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.=