The Small Catechism – part 86
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 6:18
Paul urges the Corinthians to flee from sexual sin. This would include fornication and adultery, to name a few. One flees something by running away.
The Small Catechism – part 85
Scripture Text: Colossians 3:1–3
Paul teaches us to disregard the false teachers in our lives, those who would hold any religious thing, any material or earthly thing, over our heads.
The Small Catechism – part 84
Scripture Text: Colossians 2:11–13
It is helpful to remember that you are baptized. In Christian baptism, Christ removed your sin, though that old nature would still rear its evil head in this life.
The Small Catechism – part 83
Scripture Text: Romans 13:11–14
We tend to consider the Sixth Commandment only in terms of sex. Yet, unfaithfulness to one’s spouse—whether human or divine—begins in the heart.
The Small Catechism – part 82
Scripture Text: Matthew 19:4–6
The Song of Solomon has many beautiful images, perhaps none so striking as Song of Solomon 2:4. “He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love” (Song 2:4 NASB).
The Small Catechism – part 81
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:27–28
Breaking the marriage covenant is not simply a physical matter. Adultery begins in the heart, with lust and intention or will. Jesus teaches us that it is possible to commit adultery mentally, in the deepest way: in the heart, as we say.
The Small Catechism – part 80
Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:4
It is vital that Christians honor the marriage bed, especially when culture plays fast and loose with the Sixth Commandment. We must make it an emphasis because our consciences are impaired...
The Small Catechism – part 79
Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:1–5
The sexually immoral person is an idol worshiper. The one who covets a neighbor’s spouse or anything else in that person’s household, is essentially, as the King James Version puts it, a whoremonger...
The Small Catechism – part 78
Scripture Text: Psalm 41:10–11
It has always been easy to have a polluted heart; indeed, we are born with such hearts, and are bent on folly. Consider David, who from a rooftop, looked upon Bathsheba with evil in his heart.
The Small Catechism – part 77
Scripture Text: Genesis 2:18–24
The Sixth Commandment is worded in the negative, but we readily perceive that “thou shalt not” (Exod 20:14 KJV) implies we must also do something.
The Small Catechism – part 76
Scripture Text: Philippians 4:6–7
We live in a time that is sometimes lamented as a post-Christian era in the United States. Complaints range from social media shutting out anything Christian, to the public square no longer allowing the church a voice.
The Small Catechism – part 75
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:5
The temptation is to lash out, to retaliate, to pay back. But that is not Jesus’ way, though he was tempted. When he was criticized and even beaten, Jesus could have called down legions of angels...
The Small Catechism – part 74
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:23–24
The greatest need our neighbors have, whether they know it or not, is emotional. We must not cause them any anguish, as it is ongoing, causing stress that mounts on stress, a daily trauma to be withstood.
The Small Catechism – part 73
Scripture Text: Psalm 4:4–5
Followers of Christ do not carry their anger with them day after day, nor are they to act on their anger in a way that wounds another, especially those “of the household of faith.”
The Small Catechism – part 72
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:21–22
In case you think Luther takes his explanation of the Fifth Commandment too far, consider Jesus. The catechism explains not killing in terms of fighting and of being a caring friend to our neighbors.
The Small Catechism – part 71
Scripture Text: Romans 12:20–21
The motivation for taking care of our neighbor, including our enemies, is the fear and love of God. We help others because we understand our own need of assistance.
The Small Catechism – part 70
Scripture Text: Isaiah 58:6–7
The faith is not about religious practice alone; it is not even just about God. Our devotion to God is most keenly observed, not in our worship and service, as much as God cherishes these acts, but in the love of our neighbor.
The Small Catechism – part 69
Scripture Text: Matthew 15:18–19
A mountain seems to stand steadfastly—until the plates far beneath the surface shift. Not murdering someone seems simpler to pull off than not saying something nasty.
The Small Catechism – part 68
Scripture Text: Romans 12:19
Leave it to God. It may sting your sense of honor if you do not avenge your dignity. But the honor belongs to the Lord anyway, and your own honor depends upon God.
The Small Catechism – part 67
Scripture Text: Genesis 37:18
It is difficult to like some people. They may differ politically, religiously, culturally; they may be better off than you are and even flaunt it; they may be downright nasty.
The Small Catechism – part 66
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:13–16
Be careful that you do not imagine yourself exempt from bothering with the Fifth Commandment. You may say that you have never murdered anyone. Think again.
The Small Catechism – part 65
Scripture Text: Genesis 9:6
Human life is precious to the Lord. It does not matter whether that life is another’s life or one’s own, whether that life is nascent or full-formed. It is life; and it is life in God’s image.
The Small Catechism – part 64
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:5–8
It is an instinct that goes all the way back to Cain: we imagine that we may solve our personal problems with violence, and if necessary, the final violence of death.
The Small Catechism – part 63
Scripture Text: Romans 13:1–7
God has placed additional people in authority over us. We are to honor our parents above all others, second only to God, but the Scripture and the Catechism teach us to honor other authorities too.
The Small Catechism – part 62
Scripture Text: Luke 2:51–52
Of all people, Jesus might have insisted on being right when confronted with his parents’ demands upon him. Yet, he was obedient and submissive to them.
Click Here For Archives