Good Morning!
We are a little past the halfway point in our walk through the Shorter Catechism. Today we are looking at the second portion of the Divines writing on the Third Commandment. As I noted last week there is a lot going on in this portion of God’s law that sometimes gets overlooked by the Lord’s Church. Some of that is because it is the most misunderstood of all the commands of the Bible, both in what it is trying to accomplish, and in how much it covers in helping the believer apply and obey the rest of the statutes of God. In today’s lesson we will get into a few of the reasons why that is and hopefully help us to gain a better comprehension of how this command is in many ways the lynchpin of all the rest, and a real help in giving strength to our assurance of faith. Noting all that let’s read what the two Q/A’s have to say:
Q. 55. What is forbidden in the Third Commandment?
A. The third commandment forbids all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God makes himself known.
Q. 56. What is the reason annexed to the Third Commandment?
A. The reason annexed to the third commandment is, That however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.
As with the previous commandments the Westminster Shorter Catechism breaks it down to four questions each: the commandment itself, what is required, what is forbidden, and what reasons are annexed to it. The latter two are in our purview this morning. While talking about the prohibited stuff can get into deep weeds it is important to take seriously what we are being warned against. Being more open and direct about the law of God is needed greatly in our anti-law age. We hear people all the time say that no one can tell them what to do, that they are the captains of our own life, and do not require any person or religion to set the limits on what is okay for them to do. However, the Ten Commandments apply to everyone whether they like it or not. They are the summary of the natural law written on the heart of all men. Christians should set an example to those around them that testifies to their love of the law of God, and their heart’s desire to follow it for their blessing and out of thanksgiving for the salvation purchased by Christ. Out of all the commandments of God the Third really gives immediacy to what we believe about the word.
To be sure regardless of whether a person is a believer or not they are still under the rule of God’s law and will face judgment for their lack of keeping what the Lord has revealed. In that way especially do atheists violate the Third Commandment. They profane God’s word by denying its authority and power, and then abuse it by claiming “Thou Shalt Not Murder” to be a part of their own wisdom rather than what they have received from the Creator.
While everyone is to be careful with how they use the name and revelation of the Lord ministers and elders especially need to be wise and heed the warning of Q. 55. The answer tells us not to profane or abuse the name of God, but it’s a lot more than that, it also includes any way or thing by which the LORD makes Himself known. That means the use of the Holy Scriptures themselves, the sacraments of the Church, and by the preaching of the word. Concerning the last of those we hear much warning in the Old and New Testaments to prophets and pastors that they will have to give an account for all that they teach and say to the people of God, as well as to all men in general. Deuteronomy 18 even notes that false teachers are to be put to death.
That may seem harsh, yet think about the consequences of telling folks fake news about the Lord. It leads to destruction, of the eternal kind. The Gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be perverted, and must be carefully proclaimed so that sinners would come to repentance and faith. That is the mission of the Church, and it most especially is to be the goal of every faithful minister in Christ’s Church. To do something else is dangerous to men’s souls. It is part of why Paul warns Timothy about not being puffed up, and to not lay hands quickly on a man who may have gifts, but not understanding. (1 Tim. 3:16, 5:22). Paul also tells Titus that one of the qualifications of an Elder is that he is not to be arrogant. (Titus 1:7). To put into a position of authority when it comes to bringing the word forward cannot be done lightly. Knowing this truth it makes it clear why death is warranted for such a violation of the Third Commandment. It should humble any man who desires the office, and remind Presbytery’s to be wise about who they put forward.
In closing, while that is true of those in the unique authority of the pulpit seat what does it mean for the people in the pew, especially when it comes to the preaching labors of the Church? Larger Catechism Q. 160 has this to say:
Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the word preached?
A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation and prayer; examine what they hear by the scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.
Something we believe at Bethany is that when I am proclaiming the text of Scripture for the week, that it is not a one-person form of communication. All of us are involved in that work, as is made clear in WLC #160. We are to not neglect these things, for they are a part of our keeping the Third Commandment. For in taking seriously the means of grace of God, and using it positively for life, both in this life and the one to come is how we come to faith.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17
Here is some more reading on the subject:
https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/biblical-authority-preaching-word
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church