The Sanction of the Second Commandment – A Kingdom Catechism

The Sanction of the Second Commandment

A Kingdom Catechism

Are we neglecting what God requires of us in worship?

Q 63: What sanction does the Lord threaten for disobeying the second commandment?

A 63: By disobeying the second commandment the redeemed bring upon themselves the displeasure of the Lord, His judgment against their sins, and the threat of their being cut off from fellowship from Him and His Body. (Lev. 20:1-5; Exod. 20:5; Deut. 5:9; 2:7-11; Deut. 13:6-11; Lev. 20:1-5; Deut. 18:9-13)

Contemporary Christians may find worship “enjoyable” or “meaningful” or even “effective” in bringing unbelievers to church. But these are not the primary purposes of worship. These may be only temporary benefits which satisfy immediate felt needs. But they do not necessary build the Church or further the Kingdom of God. Only God can do these things in and through and for and with His people, and He does them only when His people worship Him as they should.

The state of the Church today, and of the Kingdom of God in general, suggests that, for all our “exciting” worship, we are not finding the favor and presence of God—or His promises—as He intends. Rather, we may actually be separating ourselves from Him by bringing into our worship that which God proscribes, while, at the same time, neglecting that which God commands.

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.