10th April 2025

10th April 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Exodus 20v15)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


We cannot reduce the commandments to a simplified list of dos and don’ts. There is a depth to them that a casual read doesn’t reveal. I’m always thankful for the larger catechism’s treatment of the commandments and it’s helpful discussion of what is required and forbidden within.


So what does the Lord require by the eighth commandment? “The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man; rendering to every one his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others; moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections, concerning worldly goods; a provident care and study to get, keep, use, and dispose of those things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; a lawful calling, and diligence in it; frugality; avoiding unnecessary law-suits, and suretyship, or other like engagements; and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.”


I could read that paragraph a thousand times and constantly see something different. Even so, I’m always struck by the Lord’s demand for truthfulness. None of us want to be considered a liar and few of us would consider lies and theft in the same breath but they certainly go together like love and marriage.


I didn’t just steal from “Options” in Connswater. In my teenage years an easy target of my crime spree was the corner shop at the top of the Bloomfield Road. The owner of the shop was an older man called Harry and all a thief needed to do was to wait for Harry to turn his back. Perhaps he was reaching for a sweetie jar or maybe he was looking for a customer’s reserved magazine but when Harry looked away it was incredibly simple to help yourself to the easily accessible sweets.


My actions were a disgrace and my attitude betrayed the fact that I was a young man who saw no problem in acting dishonestly. The Lord cannot lie and therefore He stands in direct opposition to all those who think nothing of stretching the truth and treating others with contempt.


Instead we honour Christ by finding a “lawful calling” and working diligently in it. What does the WLC mean by this phrase? There is no honour in lying your way through life and stealing when needs be. Yet there is great honour in climbing out of bed at 5am and putting in an honest day’s work. I doubt the rich and famous read these devotions but perhaps the audience consists of shop assistants, teachers, street sweepers, farmers, classroom assistants, civil servants, ministers, full-time mothers and a host of other callings. Brothers and sisters, whatever you do, do it truthfully and do it diligently (Colossians 3v17). 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q54 What is required in the third commandment? The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works.
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