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THE FIRST CHIEF PART
The Ten Commandments
As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his
household.
The First Commandment.
Thou shalt have no other gods.
What does this mean?--Answer
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Second Commandment.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.
What does this mean?--Answer
We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie,
or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and
give thanks.
The Third Commandment.
Thou shalt sanctify the holy day.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but
hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.
The Fourth Commandment.
Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother [that it may be well with thee and
thou mayest live long upon the earth].
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not despise nor anger our parents and
masters, but give them honor, serve, obey, and hold them in love and esteem.
The Fifth Commandment.
Thou shalt not kill.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor in his
body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need [in every need and danger
of life and body].
The Sixth Commandment.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life in words
and deeds, and each love and honor his spouse.
The Seventh Commandment.
Thou shalt not steal.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money or
property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and
protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and his
condition is improved].
The Eighth Commandment.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander,
or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put
the best construction on everything.
The Ninth Commandment.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not craftily seek to get our neighbor's
inheritance or house, and obtain it by a show of [justice and] right, etc., but
help and be of service to him in keeping it.
The Tenth Commandment.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his
maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not estrange, force, or entice away our
neighbor's wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to stay and [diligently] do
their duty.
CONCLUSION:
What Does God Say of All These Commandments?--Answer.
He says thus (Exod. 20:5-17 ]: I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting
the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth
generation of them that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that
love Me and keep My commandments.
What does this mean?--Answer.
God threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments. Therefore we
should dread His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments. But He
promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments.
Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and gladly do [zealously and
diligently order our whole life] according to His commandments.
THE SECOND CHIEF PART:
THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, or THE CREED
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
The First Article: Of Creation.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?--Answer.
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body
and soul, eyes, ears, and all my limbs, my reason, and all my senses, and still
preserves them; in addition thereto, clothing and shoes, meat and drink, house
and homestead, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my goods; that He
provides me richly and daily with all that I need to support this body and
life, protects me from all danger, and guards me and preserves me from all
evil; and all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without
any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I owe it to Him to thank, praise,
serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.
The Second Article: Of Redemption
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the
dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father
Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
What does this mean?--Answer.
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity,
and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a
lost and condemned creature, purchased and won [delivered] me from all sins,
from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with
His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, in order
that I may be [wholly] His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve
Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is
risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly
true.
The Third Article: Of Sanctification
I believe in the Holy Ghost; one holy Christian Church, the communion of
saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life
everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?--Answer.
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ,
my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel,
enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even
as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on
earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian
Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at
the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all
believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.
THE THIRD CHIEF PART:
THE OUR FATHER, or THE LORD'S PRAYER
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
The Invocation.
Our Father who art in heaven.
What does this mean?--Answer.
God would thereby [with this little introduction] tenderly urge us to believe
that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may
ask Him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear father.
The First Petition.
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?--Answer.
God's name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may
become holy among us also.
How is this done [God's Name made holy among us]?--Answer.
When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the children
of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. To this end help us, dear
Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than God's Word
teaches profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, Heavenly
Father.
The Second Petition.
Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean?--Answer.
The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in
this petition that it may come unto us also.
How is this done [the kingdom of God come unto us]?--Answer.
When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we
believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in
eternity.
The Third Petition.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
What does this mean?--Answer.
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we
pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is this done [the good and gracious will of God done among
us]?--Answer.
When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us
hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil,
the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word
and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.
The Fourth Petition.
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean?--Answer.
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked men; but we pray
in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to receive our daily
bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?--Answer.
Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat,
drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious
spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates good
government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends,
faithful neighbors, and the like.
The Fifth Petition.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our
sins, nor deny such petitions on account of them; for we are worthy of none of
the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would
grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and indeed deserve
nothing but punishment. So will we verily, on our part, also heartily forgive
and also readily do good to those who sin against us.
The Sixth Petition.
And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?--Answer.
God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard
and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us,
nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and
though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the
victory.
The Seventh Petition.
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven would
deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and honor, and
at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously
take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven.
The Conclusion.
[For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.] Amen.
What does this mean [the little word "Amen"]?--Answer.
That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in
heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised
that He will hear us. Amen, Amen; that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so.
THE FOURTH CHIEF PART:
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
1 What is Baptism?--Answer.
Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's
command and connected with God's Word.
Which is that word of God?--Answer.
Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the
world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [Matthew 28:19]
2 What does Baptism give or profit?--Answer.
It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives
eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God
declare.
Which are such words and promises of God? Answer.
Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [Mark
16:16]
3 How can water do such great things?--Answer.
It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and
with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For
without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the
word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of
regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three:
By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying. [Titus 3:5-8]
4 What does such baptizing with water
signify?--Answer.
It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and
repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new
man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and
purity forever.
Où cela est-il écrit?
St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into
death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life. [Romans 6:4]
THE FIFTH CHIEF PART:
THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS and CONFESSION
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
What is the Office of the Keys?*
The Office of the Keys is the special authority which Christ has given to His
Church on earth: to forgive the sins of the penitent sinners, but to retain the
sins of the impenitent as long as they do not repent.
Where is this written?*
This is what St John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus
breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they
are not forgiven.” [John 20, 22-23]
What do you believe according to these words?*
I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine
command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the
Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to
do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our
dear Lord dealt with us Himself.
* These questions may not have been composed by Luther himself but reflect his teaching and was included in editions of the catechism during his lifetime.
How Christians should be taught to confess.
What is Confession?
Confession embraces two parts: the one is, that we confess our sins; the other,
that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God
Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that our sins are thereby
forgiven before God in heaven.
What sins should we confess?
Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even of those which we do not
know, as we do in the Lord's Prayer. But before the confessor we should confess
those sins alone which we know and feel in our hearts.
Which are these?
Here consider your station according to the Ten Commandments, whether you are a
father, mother, son, daughter, master, mistress, a man-servant or maid-servant;
whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, slothful; whether you have
grieved any one by words or deeds; whether you have stolen, neglected, or
wasted aught, or done other injury.
THE SIXTH CHIEF PART:
THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR, or THE LORD'S SUPPER
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
1 What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and
wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.
Where is this written?
The holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul, write thus:
"Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.
After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Take, drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me."
2 What is the benefit of such eating and
drinking?
That is shown us in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission
of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and
salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of
sins, there is also life and salvation.
3 How can bodily eating and drinking do such
great things?
It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does them, but the words which
stand here, namely: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins.
Which words are, beside the bodily eating and drinking, as the chief thing in
the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express,
namely, the forgiveness of sins.
4 Who, then, receives such Sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is
truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given,
and shed for you, for the remission of sins.
But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts.
HOW THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH HIS HOUSEHOLD TO PRAY MORNING AND EVENING.
Morning Prayer.
In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, + Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest.
Evening Prayer.
In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, + Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.
HOW THE HEAD OF THE
FAMILY SHOULD TEACH HIS HOUSEHOLD
TO ASK A BLESSING AND RETURN THANKS [AT MEALTIMES].
The children and servants shall go to the table with folded hands and reverently, and say:
The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord;
and Thou givest them their meat in due season;
Thou openest Thine hand,
and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. [Ps. 145:15-16]
Then the Lord's Prayer, and the prayer here following:
Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts, which we take from Thy bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
* Note: "To satisfy the desire" means that all animals receive so much to eat that they are on this account joyful and of good cheer; for care and avarice hinder such satisfaction.
Returning Thanks.
Likewise also after the meal they shall reverently and with folded hands say:
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good;
for His mercy endureth forever. He giveth food to all flesh;
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse;
He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him,
in those that hope in His mercy. [Ps. 136:1,25; 147:9-11]
Then the Lord's Prayer and the prayer here following:
We thank Thee, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
THE TABLE OF DUTIES
Certain passages of scripture for various holy orders and positions,
admonishing them about their duties and responsibilities.
For Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers.
A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good
behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker,
not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that
ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
not a novice; holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he
may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 1
Tim. 3, 2ff ; Titus 1, 6.
What the Hearers Owe to Their Pastors.
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of
the Gospel. 1 Cor. 9, 14.
Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Gal. 6, 6.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn; and the laborer is worthy of his reward. 1 Tim. 5, 17. 18.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. Heb. 13, 17.
Concerning Civil Government.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which exists
anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the
ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For he heareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger
to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. 13, 1-4.
What Subjects Owe to the Magistrates.
Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's. Matt. 22, 21.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, etc. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom honor. Rom. 13, 1. 5ff.
I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Tim. 2, 1f
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, etc. Titus 3, 1.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him, etc. 1 Pet. 2, 13f
For Husbands.
Ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto
the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace
of life, that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Pet. 3, 7.
And be not bitter against them. Col. 3, 9.
For Wives.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord, even as
Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye
do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Pet. 3, 6; Eph. 5, 22.
For Parents.
Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6, 4.
For Children.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father
and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well
with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6, 1-3.
For Male and Female Servants, Hired Men, and Laborers.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with
eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of
God from the heart; with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to
men; knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he
receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Eph. 6, 5ff ; Col. 3, 22.
For Masters and Mistresses.
Ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening, knowing that
your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him.
Eph. 6, 9; Col. 4, 1.
The worker deserves his wages. Luke 10, 7.
For Young Persons in General.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be
subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the
proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the
mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Pet. 5, 5. 6.
For Widows.
She that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in
supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is
dead while she liveth. 1 Tim. 5, 5. 6.
For All in Common.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Herein are comprehended all the
commandments. Rom. 13, 8ff
And persevere in prayer for all men. 1 Tim. 2, 1. 2.
Let each his lesson learn with care,
And all the household well shall fare.
CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS WITH THEIR ANSWERS
Prepared by Dr. Martin Luther for those who intend to go to the
Sacrament.
1. Do you believe that you are a sinner?
Yes, I believe it. I am a sinner.
2. How do you know this?
From the Ten Commandments, which I have not kept.
3. Are you sorry for your sins?
Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God.
4. What have you deserved from God because
of your sins?
His wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation. See Romans
6:21, 23.
5. Do you hope to be saved?
Yes, that is my hope.
6. In whom then do you trust?
In my dear Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Who is Christ?
The Son of God, true God and man.
8. How many Gods are there?
Only one, but there are three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
9. What has Christ done for you that you
trust in Him?
He died for me and shed His blood for me on the cross for the forgiveness of
sins.
10. Did the Father also die for you?
He did not. The Father is God only, as is the Holy Spirit; but the Son is both
true God and true man. He died for me and shed his blood for me.
11. How do you know this?
From the holy Gospel, from the words instituting the Sacrament, and by His body
and blood given me as a pledge in the Sacrament.
12. What are the Words of Institution?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread and when
He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said:
"Take eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance
of Me." In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had
given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: "Drink of it, all of you; this
cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness
of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
13. Do you believe, then, that the true
body and blood of Christ are in the Sacrament?
Yes, I believe it.
14. What convinces you to believe
this?
The word of Christ: Take, eat, this is My body; drink of it, all of you, this
is My blood.
15. What should we do when we eat His body
and drink His blood, and in this way receive His pledge?
We should remember and proclaim His death and the shedding of His blood, as He
taught us: This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.
16. Why should we remember and proclaim
His death?
First, so that we may learn to believe that no creature could make satisfaction
for our sins. Only Christ, true God and man, could do that.
Second, so we may learn to be horrified by our sins, and to regard them as very serious.
Third, so we may find joy and comfort in Christ alone, and through faith in Him be saved.
17. What motivated Christ to die and make
full payment for your sins?
His great love for His Father and for me and other sinners, as it is written in
John 14[:13]; Romans 5[:8]; Galatians 2[:20] and Ephesians 5[:2].
18. Finally, why do you wish to go to the
Sacrament?
That I may learn to believe that Christ, out of great love, died for my sin,
and also learn from Him to love God and my neighbor.
19. What should admonish and encourage a
Christian to receive the Sacrament frequently?
First, both the command and the promise of Christ the Lord. Second, his own
pressing need, because of which the command, encouragement, and promise are
given.
20. But what should you do if you are not
aware of this need and have no hunger and thirst for the Sacrament?
To such a person no better advice can be given than this:
First, he should touch his body to see if he still has flesh and blood. Then he should believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5[:19-21] and Romans 7[:18].
Second, he should look around to see whether he is still in the world, and remember that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in John 15[:18-19] and 16[:20] and in 1 John 2[:15-17] and 5[:19].
Third, he will certainly have the devil also around him, who with his lying and murdering day and night will let him have no peace, within or without, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8[:44] and 16; 1 Peter 5[:8-9]; Ephesians 6[:11-12]; and 2 Timothy 2[:26].
NOTE
These questions and answers are no child's play, but are drawn up with great earnestness of purpose by the venerable and devout Dr. Luther for both young and old. Let each one pay attention and consider it a serious matter; for St. Paul writes to the Galatians in chapter six: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked." [Gal. 6:7].
