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Lord's Day 44
Question 113: What does the tenth commandment require of us?
Question 114: But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments?
Question 115: Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?
A.
That even the smallest inclination or thought,
contrary to any of God's commandments,
never rise in our hearts;
but that at all times
we hate all sin with our whole heart,
and delight in all righteousness. (a)
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(a)
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Rom.7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had
not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the
law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
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A.
No: but even the holiest men,
while in this life,
have only a small beginning of this obedience; (a)
yet so, that with a sincere resolution
they begin to live,
not only according to some, but all the commandments of God. (b)
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(a)
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1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and
the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and
his word is not in us.
Rom.7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold
under sin.
Rom.7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I
not; but what I hate, that do I.
Eccl.7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and
sinneth not.
1 Cor.13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
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(b)
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Rom.7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Ps. 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth
he meditate day and night.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in
one point, he is guilty of all.
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A.
First, that all our lifetime
we may learn more and more to know (a)
our sinful nature,
and thus become the more earnest
in seeking the remission of sin,
and righteousness in Christ; (b)
likewise, that we constantly endeavour
and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit,
that we may become more and more
conformable to the image of God,
till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us,
in a life to come. (c)
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(a)
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Rom.3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ps.32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not
hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou
forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
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(b)
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Matt.5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Rom.7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body
of this death?
Rom.7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the
mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
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(c)
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1 Cor.9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one
receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Philip.3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of
the dead.
Philip.3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Philip.3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,
Philip.3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.
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