=Thou shalt have no other gods before me.=
_That is_,
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
_19. What does the first commandment forbid?_
It forbids the worship of strange gods, or idols.
=Matt. 4:10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only
shalt thou serve.=
_20. What is meant by an idol?_
Anything that man worships, fears, loves, and trusts in instead of the
one true God.
_21. Who practice idolatry openly?_
They who worship the created things instead of the Creator, and pray
to the sun, the moon, stars, images, angels, or saints.
=Rom. 1:25. They changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is
blessed forever.=
_22. Who practice idolatry secretly?_
They who turn their _love_, _fear_, and _trust_ from the living God,
that they may secretly cling to something else than Him.
_23. Whom do all idolaters really serve?_
They serve the devil who is the father of lies, and the lord of all
impenitent and hardened sinners.
=1 John 3:8. [R. V.] He that doeth sin is of the devil.=
=2 Cor. 4:4. [R. V.] The god of this world hath blinded the minds
of the unbelieving.=
_24. What does God require of us in the first commandment?_
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
_25. Upon what does God then really look?_
Upon the attitude of our hearts toward Him.
=Prov. 23:26. My son, give me thine heart.=
=Prov. 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are
the issues of life.=
_26. When do we fear God?_
We fear God when we think so highly of Him, that we are afraid of
offending Him by any wrongdoing.
=Ps. 33:8. Let all the earth fear the Lord!=
_27. Of how many kinds is the fear of God?_
Of two kinds: slavish fear and child-like fear.
_28. What is meant by slavish fear?_
When we fear God because we are afraid of punishment.
_29. What is meant by child-like fear?_
When we love God so dearly that we wish to do nothing that is against
His will.
=Gen. 39:9. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin
against God?=
=1 John 4:18. Perfect love casteth out fear.=
_30. Who fear God in this manner?_
God's children only.
=Rom. 8:15. [R. V.] Ye received not the spirit of bondage again
unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba, Father.=
_31. When do we love God?_
We love God when He is dearer to us than all else, so that we have no
true joy except in Him, and gladly submit to His will in all things.
=Ps. 18:1. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.=
=Ps. 73:25, 26. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none
upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart
faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion
forever.=
_32. Can we love God and the world at the same time?_
By no means.
=Matt. 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one
and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.=
=1 John. 2:15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is
not in him.=
_33. Why must we love God?_
We must love God because of His goodness toward us.
=Matt. 19:17. There is none good but one, that is God.=
=1 John 4:19. We love him, because He first loved us.=
_34. Whereby is it seen that we love God?_
By a holy life.
=John 14:21. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it
is that loveth me.=
_35. When do we trust in God above all things?_
We trust in God above all things when we have confidence in Him as in
a loving father, and when we look to Him for every blessing, and put
all our affairs into His hands.
=1 Pet. 5:7. Casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth
for you.=
=Ps. 37:5. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and
He shall bring it to pass.=
_36. Why must we trust in God alone?_
Because He is our almighty and faithful Friend.
_37. Name some virtues that follow upon true fear, love, and
trust in God._
Humility, patience, and self-denial.
=1 Pet. 5:5, 6. God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the
humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time.=
=Job 1:21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed
be the name of the Lord!=
=Matt. 26:39. Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.=