Read the Large Catechism with me.
Ten-minute studies on short readings from the Large Catechism.
Let's do this.
Click on the link below and read the short assigned reading. Then, if you have time, check out what I have to say about it. If not, no problem. Just soak up the goodness of the LC.
The First Commandment Part 4: Click here and read 29-40.
The basics:
- There is a terrible threat and comforting promise attached to the first commandment. "For I am the Lord, thy God, strong and jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments."
- God's anger does not cease until the fourth generation, while His comfort and mercy extends for thousands.
- God has demonstrated this wrath throughout Scripture - He has and does eliminate all idolatry and overthrows all false worship.
- Those who hate God are those who persist in defiance and pride, they do not listen no matter what is preached, and they become mad and foolish when they are told they are sinning.
- The threat is scary, but the promise of comfort and blessing for thousands of generations is much greater.
My thoughts today:
I can't turn on the news or flip through my newsfeed without seeing the threat of persecution as a Christian. Real beheading type persecution. It is terrifying. And it is overwhelming. And it is maddening. And it all leads back to the first commandment. Most sins do. Actually, all sins do.
Luther reminded me today that God prevails. He has proven His power over every false worship throughout history. He will continue to prevail through the rest of time and into eternity. And while there is so little consolation to those who have lost their children or parents or friends to beheadings in the name of some false god, we do hold firm to His promise. He will avenge the wrong. He will rain down the blessings on those who are adopted into His generations - thousands of them.
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
