Luther's Small Catechism Part 9

_77. Who has inst.i.tuted marriage?_

G.o.d Himself inst.i.tuted it in Paradise.

=Gen. 2:21-24, 1:27-28. Matt. 19:4-6.=

_78. How do unfaithful husbands and wives treat this holy inst.i.tution?_

They despise it, and thus bring down upon themselves the judgment of G.o.d.

=Heb. 13:4. Wh.o.r.emongers and adulterers G.o.d will judge.=

_79. Repeat some pa.s.sages from Scripture in which impurity is forbidden?_

Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of G.o.d. 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.

Jesus says: I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to l.u.s.t after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matt.

5:28.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth! Eph. 4:29.

_80. Why is this sin so fearful?_

Because it affects both soul and body more than any other sin.

_81. How can we be kept pure?_

We must watch and pray, and avoid everything that awakens impure desires.

=Matt. 26:41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.=

_82. What things awaken impure desires?_

Gluttony and drunkenness, immoral and exciting amus.e.m.e.nts, bad company, the reading of improper books, and everything that excites carnal and impure thoughts.

_83. Are not gluttony and drunkenness alone dangerous sins?_

Yes, indeed; they are a shameful abuse of G.o.d's gifts, by which we ruin soul and body and shut ourselves out from the kingdom of G.o.d.

=Luk. 21:34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with gluttony, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.=

_84. What does G.o.d require of us in the sixth commandment?_

We must live a chaste and pure life, whether we are married or unmarried, husband and wife loving and honoring each other.

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not steal.=

_That is_,

We should fear and love G.o.d, and not take our neighbor's money or property, nor get it by unfair dealing or other dishonesty, but help him to improve and protect his property and living.

_85. What is it to steal?_

To steal is to take from our neighbor even the smallest part of his property against his will.

_86. How is stealing done?_

In a coa.r.s.e or in an artful manner.

_87. Who steal in a coa.r.s.e manner?_

Those who, without any right or permission whatever, take their neighbor's money or property.

=Eph. 4:28. Let him that stole steal no more.=

_88. Who steal in an artful manner?_

Those who take or withhold the property of others by any kind of fraud.

_89. Is it wrong to be a partner with a thief?_

Yes; the partner of a thief is no better than the thief.

=Prov. 29:24. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul.=

_90. What judgment does the Word of G.o.d pa.s.s upon thieves and robbers?_

They shall not inherit the kingdom of G.o.d.

=1 Cor. 6:10. Neither thieves nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of G.o.d.=

_91. May we not do with our property what we please?_

No; we are but keepers of G.o.d's gifts, and we must once give an account of how we have used them.

=Luke 16:2; Matt. 25:14-30.=

_92. What does G.o.d require of us in the seventh commandment?_

We must be honest and unselfish in all our dealings, and help our neighbor to improve and protect his property and living.

=1 John 3:17. [R. V.] But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compa.s.sion from him, how doth the love of G.o.d abide in him?=

=James 2:13. For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy.=

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.