Q&A 113 What is God's will for you in the tenth commandment?

That not even the slightest thought or desire

contrary to any one of God's commandments

should ever arise in my heart.

 

Rather, with all my heart

I should always hate sin

and take pleasure in whatever is right.¹

 

¹ Ps. 19:7-14; 139:23-24; Rom. 7:7-8

Q&A 114 But can those converted to God obey these commandments perfectly?

No.

In this life even the holiest

have only a small beginning of this obedience.¹

 

Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose,

they do begin to live

according to all, not only some,

of God's commandments.²

 

¹ Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 7:14-15; 1 Cor. 13:9; 1 John 1:8-10

² Ps. 1:1-2; Rom. 7:22-25; Phil. 3:12-16

Q&A 115 No one in this life can obey the Ten Commandments perfectly: why then does God want them preached so pointedly?

First, so that the longer we live

the more we may come to know our sinfulness

and the more eagerly look to Christ

for forgiveness of sins and righteousness.¹

 

Second, so that,

while praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit,

we may never stop striving

to be renewed more and more after God's image,

until after this life we reach our goal:

perfection.²

 

¹ Ps. 32:5; Rom. 3:19-26; 7:7, 24-25; 1 John 1:9

² 1 Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 John 3:1-3

 

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