Catechism Question 11
Can you live up to all of this perfectly?
No. I have a natural tendency in thought, word, and deed to not love God and my neighbor as He has commanded.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are making the point that we do not keep the two greatest commandments. Even though we were created with the ability to do these things, we do not do them now. In fact, we have a natural tendency to not do them but rather to do the opposite.
This question shows us that we have a radical problem. We fail to keep God’s commands and thus fail to meet the purpose for which we were created. This problem is not just occasional either; we have a natural tendency to disobey God’s greatest commands and go our own way. The problem goes to the core of our being, and is expressed in thoughts, words, and actions.
Additional Questions:
Can you obey God’s law perfectly?
Is your natural desire to love God and your neighbor?
Do you love God with everything in you all the time? Do you love other people as much as you love yourself?
Do you obey God perfectly?
Do any humans obey God perfectly all the time?
Scripture References:
Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:19-20
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.
1 John 1:8
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Romans 8:7-8
The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Colossians 1:21
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
Titus 3:3
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Do you know anyone who seems to really love God and other people? Are they fulfilling the law perfectly? Why not?
Does this mean that people never feel any love for God or their neighbor?
Why is it important to love God in thought, word, and deed? Is it possible to act like we are loving God with our actions but have our thoughts and hearts far from Him? (See Matthew 15:8). Is it possible to think nice things about people but not really love them in action?
Why do we not love God and people as we are commanded to love them? Is it possible for us to do this in our present state?
Are people born with a natural tendency to love God and others, or with a selfish desire to love themselves more than anyone else? Why is this?
Why do we have to love God perfectly? Why must we love our neighbor just like we love ourselves? Why does God command this of us?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 5 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 82 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 13 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Can I Keep God’s Law?” (November 10, 2019), and “Biblical Confession and Repentance” (August 28, 2018).
Suggested Worship Song:
God Be Merciful to Me – Psalm 51 (Scottish Psalter)
God, be merciful to me,
On thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within,
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against thy grace
And provoked thee to thy face;
I confess thy judgment just,
Speechless, I thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Saviour art,
Teach thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.
Broken, humbled to the dust
By thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear thy voice;
From my sins O hide thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from thee,
Let thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
Sinners then shall learn from me
And return, O God, to thee;
Saviour, all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing thy love;
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.