Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 10:19:14 +0100
Reply-To: t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
From: Teus Benschop
Subject: Catechism, 4
Q. 4. How are the ten commandments divided?
A. Into two tables.
God commanded Moses that he would take with him two tables of stone, and
He wrote His Law thereon. "And he declared unto you his covenant, which
he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them
upon two tables of stone." (Deut.4:13)
Q. 5. Which is the sum of what God requires of thee in the four
commandments of the first table?
A. That I love the Lord my God, with all my heart, with all my soul,
with all my mind, and with all my strength: this is the first and great
commandment.
The sum of the four commandments of the first table is the following:
I should love the Lord, my God
- with all my heart,
- with all my soul,
- with all my mind,
- with all my strength.
The true love of God does not consist in a slave-like obedience, like a
slave obeys his master. The true love of God is like the love of a child,
how a child loves his father. The true love of God does not keep his
heart far from God, but very close to Him. "Bless the LORD, O my soul:
and all that is within me, bless his holy name." (Ps.103:1) We have to
love God with all our heart, soul and mind and strength. We ought to
dedicate ourselves wholly to Him, for He deserves it. This is the sum of
what God demands of us in the first table of the Ten Commandments. This
commandment of love is the first and the great. From this command follow
all the others.
Take heed however, for those who "love" God only with words, but
without works. How can anyone think to love God, while he does nothing?
This cannot be. Love God with all your heart, but also with all your
strength.
Q. 6. Which is the sum of what God commands thee in the six
commandments of the second table?
A. That I love my neighbour as myself: on these two commandments hang
the whole law and the prophets.
The six commandments of the second table are thus summarized, that I love
my neighbour as myself. What I therefore want that will be done unto me,
I must do the same to the other people. "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear
any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." (Lev.19:18)
I must even love my enemies. Though the people speak badly of me, I
must love them. Sure, this is a nearly impossible task. Who is able to do
this? Without God's grace, I am not able to do so.
The whole law and all the prophets are teaching us these commandments.
Love God and your neighbour. Be not egoistic, but love God and the
people.
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Chr-Exp, a Christian explanation of the Tanach and the New Testament
Editor: Teus Benschop - t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl
No copyrights on this publication
Institution Practical Bible-education, the Netherlands
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file: /pub./resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-004.txt
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