Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary: 46

Does that which forbids us to have any other gods, require us to have the true God? Yes: Put away the strange gods, and serve the Lord only,

1 Sam. 7:3–4

. Is it our duty to acknowledge God? Yes: The Lord he is God, the Lord he is God,

1 Kings 18:39

. And must we acknowledge him to be the only true God? Yes: Thou art the God, even thou alone,

2 Kings 19:15

Is it our duty to acquaint ourselves with him? Yes: Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace,

Job 22:21

. Must we grow in that acquaintance? Yes: increasing in the knowledge of God,

Col. 1:10

. And may we attain to it? Yes: then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord,

Hos. 6:3

Must we accept of God for our God? Yes: Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God,

Deut. 26:17–18

. And must we join ourselves to him? Yes: Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant,

Jer. 50:5

. And consent to be his? Yes: O Lord, truly I am thy servant, I am thy servant,

Ps. 116:16

. Must we take God the Father to be our chief good and highest end? Yes: O God, thou art my God,

Ps. 63:1

. And God the Son to be our Prince and Saviour? Yes: My Lord and my God,

John 20:28

. And God the Holy Ghost to be our sanctifier, teacher, guide, and comforter? Yes: for they that are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God,

Rom. 8:14

. Must we renounce all others? Yes: For by thee only will we make mention of thy name,

Isa. 26:13

. Must we do this deliberately? Yes: Choose ye this day whom ye will serve,

Josh. 24:15

. Must we do it solemnly? Yes: One shall say, I am the Lord’s and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord,

Isa. 44:5

. Must we do it resolutely? Yes: Nay, but we will serve the Lord,

Josh. 24:21

. May we be at liberty to change our Master? No: but with purpose of heart must cleave to the Lord,

Acts 11:23

Must we remember God? Yes: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,

Eccles. 12:1

. And think of him with delight? Yes: My meditation of him shall be sweet,

Ps. 104:34

. Must we adore and admire him? Yes: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?

Ex. 15:11

. Must we fear him above all? Yes: Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread,

Isa. 8:13

. And reverence him? Yes: he is to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

Ps. 89:7

. Must we submit to his word? Yes: Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears,

1 Sam. 3:9

. And submit to his will? Yes: It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good, ver. 18.

Must we love God above all? Yes: O love the Lord all ye his saints,

Ps. 31:23

. Must our desire be towards him? Yes: So panteth my soul after thee O God,

Ps. 43:1

. Must our delight be in him? Yes: Delight thyself always in the Lord,

Ps. 37:4

. Must our dependence be upon him? Yes: In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust,

Ps. 31:1

Must we live a life of communion with God? Yes: Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord,

Ps. 25:15

. And a life of complacency in him? Yes: Rejoice in the Lord always,

Phil. 4:4

. And a life of conformity to him? Yes: Be ye holy, for I am holy,

1 Pet. 1:16

. And a life of confidence in him? Yes: Commit thy way unto the Lord,

Ps. 37:5

. And a life of regard to him? Yes: In all thy ways acknowledge him,

Prov. 3:6

. Must our hearts go out towards him? Yes: Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul,

Ps. 25:1

. And must we have him always in our eye? Yes; I have set the Lord always before me,

Ps. 16:8

. And must we walk with him in the whole course of our conversation? Yes: as Enoch walked with God,

Gen. 5:24

. And is this inward worship the life of religion? Yes: it is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices,

Mark 12:33

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 46

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