Q 57: What is the substance of the second commandment?

A 57: The substance of the second commandment is that the redeemed must worship God according to His Word, and keep themselves from all objects of pagan devotion and every pagan practice. (Deut. 12.29-31; Lev. 19.4; Deut. 18.9-13)

Human life is organized around worship. They who will not worship the one true God will worship something nevertheless – their work, wealth, wishes, or wants. God understands this human need for worship, for He made us in His image and after His likeness, that we should seek Him and find Him and worship only Him.

But worship is not merely a subjective experience. That is, worship is not just what I or anyone says it is. Worship, after all is, is “ascribing worth” to the One Who alone deserves it, and He has been pleased to make known the proper ways of acknowledging and celebrating Him.

Pagans of all sorts will worship what they will as they will, but in so doing they depart from God’s plan for human life and fall into sin. Those who believe in God will worship Him, and they worship Him aright when they worship according to what He has revealed.

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