91. Q. "What is the Duty Which God Requireth of Man?" -Larger Catechism

St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. (The mother church of Presbyterianism)








A. "The duty which God requires of man is obedience to His revealed will.

1. Why do we owe a duty to God?
Because God is our Creator and we are his creatures, we are under moral obligation to love and serve Him. As Christians we are under an added obligation to love and serve God, because He has redeemed us from sin and hell.

97. Q. What special use is there of the moral law to the Christian?

A. Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works, so as thereby they are neither justified nor condemned; .... it is of special use, ... to provoke them to more thankfulness, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves hereunto as the rule of their obedience.

8. Should a Christian be afraid to commit sin? Yes.

9. Should a Christian be afraid to commit sin because of the danger of eternal condemnation? No. (1 John 4:18)

10. Then why should a Christian be afraid to commit sin? Because it is right to fear that which is contrary to God's holiness, and which will offend God and hide the light of His countenance from us, even though in the case of the Christian it involves no danger of eternal condemnation."

And I'd add to this last answer that there may be some consequences that might not be very pleasant, depending on what sin we are unafraid to commit. King David found this out in a big way.

The reason I'm going through "The Westminster Larger Catechism" is to gain a little knowledge on the deep and difficult subject of being saved by faith alone, and yet seeking to be righteous in our daily lives.

I like what Ephesians 2:8-9 says how we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, otherwise we would be able to boast in how we became saved, and even in the truth that "we are God's workmanship".

I guess I'll be studying, and even debating this important aspect of God's Word until He returns, or I die, and go to be with Him.