Luther's Small Catechism Part 7

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

=Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.=

_That is_,

We should fear and love G.o.d, and not despise or neglect His Word, but deem it holy and gladly hear and learn it.

_51. Which day is the day of rest among Christians?_

Sunday, the first day of the week, on which Christ arose from the dead.

_52. How should we keep the day of rest holy?_

1. We must rest from our daily labor, that the time may be used for our instruction in the fear of the Lord.

2. We must earnestly hear and study the Word of G.o.d, both in our homes and in church.

=Luke 11:28. Blessed are they that hear the Word of G.o.d, and keep it.=

=James 1:27. Pure religion and undefiled before G.o.d and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.=

_53. Has the Lord appointed these resting-days to be used only in reading and studying the Word of G.o.d?_

No; He has appointed such days also for the needed rest of mind and body.

_54. How do we misuse the day of rest?_

1. When we neglect and despise the Word of G.o.d.

=Eccl. 5:1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of G.o.d.=

2. When we do work or take part in amus.e.m.e.nts that either are actually sinful or turn our minds away from G.o.d.

_55. Is no work permitted on Sunday?_

Yes; any work of necessity that cannot be delayed, and any loving kindness we may show our neighbor who is in need. Luk. 14:1-6.

THE SECOND TABLE OF THE LAW.

_56. What is the substance of the second table?_

Love to ourselves and our neighbor.

=Matt. 22:39. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.=

_57. May we love ourselves?_

Yes, for G.o.d has made us, but we must beware of selfishness.

_58. What should a man care for most of all?_

For his soul, the immortal part of himself.

=Matt. 16:26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?=

_59. What does the second table teach us about our relation to our neighbor?_

We must feel and act toward him, as we would have him feel and act toward us.

=Matt. 7:12. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.=

=1 John 3:18. Let us not love in word, neither with the tongue: but in deed and truth.=

_60. Who is our neighbor?_

Every human being is our neighbor. Read Luke 10:29-37.

_61. Must we love also our enemies?_

Yes; for even our enemy is our neighbor.

=Matt. 5:44, 45. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;=

=That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.=

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

=Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.=

_That is_,

We should fear and love G.o.d, and not despise or give offense to our parents or superiors; but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.

_62. Why must we honor father and mother?_

Because G.o.d has placed them over us to care for us.

=Lev. 19:3. Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father: I am the Lord your G.o.d.=

_63. How are children to show that they honor father and mother?_

By respectful, loving, and willing obedience and by good behavior to their parents, both in their presence and in their absence.

=Prov. 1:8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.=

=Eph. 6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.=

_64. Whom must we honor and obey besides our parents?_