SCRIPTURE REFERENCES » Job 1

Jul 13
22

This Week’s Catechism – 7/21

Doctrinal Standard WSC #79 & 80

  • Q. What is the tenth commandment?
  • A. The tenth commandment is: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
  • A. What does the tenth commandment require?
  • Q. The tenth commandment requires us to be completely satisfied with our own status in life and to have a proper, loving attitude toward others and their possessions.

Memory Verse(s)

  • Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 8:26-30
  • Support Passages: Exodus 20:17; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6; Job 31:29; Romans 12:15; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
  • Bible Story: Job 1:13-22

Thoughts

  • “It would not be inaccurate to say that coveting is the root of all other sin. James says, ‘every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts [or covetous desire] and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death’ (James 1:14-15). So, as Paul says, a ‘covetous man… is an idolater’ (Eph. 5:5). Or in other words, if the sinful desire is there, then there is already a violation of all the other commandments at least in principle. Thus some have held that the first beginning of sin in Adam and Eve was covetousness (the sinful desire to eat the forbidden fruit). Then, when this desire was expressed outwardly, there was a simultaneous violation of all other nine commandments.
  • But why does this commandment speak of such common possessions (house, wife, manservant, maidservant, ox, or ass) if it has such far-reaching implications? The answer is this: covetousness begins with a dissatisfied heart. It begins when we compare our own situation with that of another who has (or appears to have) more than we do! ‘Take heed,’ said Jesus, ‘… for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth’ (Luke 12:15). Let a man once become dissatisfied with the portion God has given him, and he will then be tempted with a thousand other sins. And it can hardly be denied that this a besetting sin today. We are constantly stimulated, by television, by advertisement, by easy credit plans, and so forth, to feel that we must have something newer, and bigger, and better! The ‘good life’ is pictured as belonging to those wgi have everything. How different the thought expressed by the Apostle Paul. ‘ I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need’ (Phil. 4:11-12). This, then is the biblical requirement: full contentment with what God has given us.
  • This does not mean that we should make no effort to improve our wealth and outward estate. The Bible says, ‘he becometh poor that dealth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich’ (Prov. 10:4). Scripture teaches us that God has given us abilities that we ought to use diligently. God also gives us the opportunities that come to us to use our abilities. It is therefore our duty to us both our abilities and opportunities fruitfully. But we must at the same time be content with the limits of both our ability and opportunity. And we are not to grieve when someone else is enabled to advance beyond what we are able (Gal. 5:26; James 3:14, 16). There is a sense, in other words, in which men are not created equal. God himself gives more to one than to another. And it is our duty to accept our place as God ordains with humble and thankful hearts.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the Tenth Commandment?
  • What does the Tenth Commandment require?
  • What does it mean to be content? How does this relate to the Tenth Commandment?
  • Explain the difference for wanting (working for) something better and covetousness.
  • Read Phil. 4:11-12 regarding contentment in Paul’s life. Discuss if you are content with your life.
  • What does covetousness and contentment reveal about our heart and appreciation towards God?
  • Discuss the statement, “coveting is the root of all other sin.”

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, C.I. Williamson, Moral Law, Ten Commandments, Tenth Commandment, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Hebrews 13, Job 1, Romans 8, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Oct 12
15

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #36 (3 of 3 Weeks)

Doctrinal Standard #36 (3 of 3 weeks)

  • Q. What benefits in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
  • A. The benefits that in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification are: the assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, and growing and persevering in grace to the end of our lives.

Memory Verses

  • “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10b, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Job 1:20-22; 2:10; 13:15
  • Support Passages: Ezekiel 14:14,20; James 5:11, II Thessalonians 1:4
  • Bible Story: Job

Thoughts

  • C.I. Williamson in his book The Westminster Shorter Catechism (pg. 167) explains how perseverance of believers does not mean that they will not experience difficulties in this life.  “One of the greatest conflicts in the history of the Church has come to focus at this point: Can a true believer fall? In answer to this question we shall have to say, yes, a true believer can fall in his diligence and faithfulness to God, but we shall have to say, no, a true believer can never fall out of God’s mercy and grace, which are unto everlasting life. This may be illustrated (as C.H. Spurgeon once said) by a man on board a great ship. If he is not careful, he may indeed fall down on board that ship, and injure himself. But so great and so safe is the ship that he will never fall overboard. This may not be literally true of any ship. But is true of God’s grace. Christ said, of all true believers, ‘I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [one] pluck them out of my hand’ (John 10:28). It is for this reason that there will always be ‘increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end’ in the life of every true believer.” [1]
  • The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 chapter 17.1 provides a good explanation regarding the perseverance true believers will experience throughout their life. “The saints are those whom God has accepted in Christ the Beloved, and effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit. To them He has given the precious faith that pertains to all His elect. The persons to whom such blessings have been imparted can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but they shall certainly persevere in grace to the end and be eternally saved, for God will never repent of having called them and made gifts to them. Consequently He continues to beget and to nourish in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit that issue in immortality. Many storms and floods may arise and beat upon them, yet they can never be moved from the foundation and rock on which by faith they are firmly established. Even if unbelief and Satan’s temptations cause them for a time to lose the sight and comfort of the light and love of God, yet the unchanging God remains their God, and He will certainly keep and save them by His power until they come to the enjoyment of their purchased possession; for they are engraved on the palms of His hands, and their names have been written in the book of life from all eternity.” [2]

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean to persevere?
  • How does a Christian persevere through this life? (Discuss God’s actions and man’s responsibility)
  • Does the perseverance of the saints (Christians) mean this life will be easy? Explain
  • Look up these verses: Job 1:20-22; 2:10; 13:15 and discuss Job’s life in regards to perseverance.
  • Even though this life may be difficult why can Christians have true joy?
  • If the perseverance of the saints is true why do people who claim to be Christians fall away from Christ?

 


[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

[2] London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Adoption, C.I. Williamson, Justification, Sanctification, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Job, Job 1, Job 2, Posted by Phil. No Comments


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