Shorter Conversations: Questions 2-3

To read the heart behind this series, click here! Essentially, it is exposition for you, and then a way to talk about the WSC with your family!

Man’s chief end (not only end!) is to glorify God and enjoy Him. Hopefully, you really want to do both of those things! Everyone who desires to fulfill their chief end ought to immediately ask an important question, “How can I possibly do that? What is it, exactly, that God wants me to believe about Him? What am I supposed to do?”

Fortunately, God hasn't left us to our own devices regarding our chief end. He’s provided us with guidance, and this is what the Shorter Catechism means by the word rule. The Rule is that to which we align our thinking. Think about building with Legos- how frustrating would it be if the blocks Lego produced in 2024 had a different standard size than the blocks produced in 2023? This is why even the off-brand Legos utilize the same standard of measurement - for them to be successful, they have to know and comply with the measurement standard given by Lego!

People need a standard for what they are to believe and what they are to do. In a world with competing views, disparate perspectives, and advice coming from every possible angle, we need to have a Standard to which we conform. Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world but "to be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12.1). And, this is crucial because a mind conformed to the flesh, to the ways of this world will result in death (Romans 8.6). In the Garden, Adam and Eve conformed to a different standard of truth than the one given by the Father!

Fortunately, in God’s infinite wisdom, He was pleased to speak to his people in many times and many ways. He breathed out His Word in the Law and the Prophets, through the apostles, and even spoke in His Son (Matthew 5.17-19; Hebrews 1.1-2; 2 Timothy 3.16; 1 Thess. 2.13; 2 Peter 1.20-21; 33.2,15-16). What a treasure! Consider David’s writing of Psalm 119 - the Psalm is 176 verses long and organized as an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. What a great labor of love and devotion to the subject matter - and what was that subject?

“Your Word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119.11

 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119.105

The world tempts us to turn to the left or right and worship the creature instead of the creator (Romans 1.25). Though the dangers and temptations are real, God’s Word instructs us on how we might best glorify and enjoy Him (1 Timothy 3.14-15). God has graciously spoken to His people, His Word is the light to our path, and when we trust in His wisdom instead of our own, he makes those paths straight (Proverbs 3.5-6)! What a blessing that he has taken account of the weakness of His people!

The Catechism then asks what the Scriptures principally teach. While the Scriptures are vast in their teaching and material, there is a chief message:
What we are to believe about God, and what God commands us to do.

Westminster Confession 1.6 explains it this way:

“The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.” 

The Scriptures present what we need to believe and do in order to have salvation. And without salvation, we cannot possibly glorify God, and we certainly can’t enjoy Him!

There is something crucial to consider before closing. To paraphrase a professor, “Everyone, everywhere, is duty bound to believe and obey what God has said in His written word." Furthermore, if someone brings a message that goes against God’s Word, we must reject it (Ezekiel 20.18-19; Galatians 1.6-9). His words, and His alone, are the words of life, of salvation, they bring dead hearts to life, and they sanctify those who hear them (John 6.6; John 17.17); God’s word can break away the false views that have corrupted our minds, and His Word can tear down the fortresses of corrupt thought (Jeremiah 23.29; 2 Timothy 3.16-17; Hebrews 4.12-13; 2 Corinthians 10.1-6). Hearing His Word is hearing Him, He is the Word of life made manifest (1 John 1.1-4).

God’s Word is perfect, it brings life, joy, and a whole host of other things. However, we are accountable for the content. Read with joy, but also read with care - these are the Words of life, and to neglect them is to reject that life.

Kid's Corner (The “answers” are our kids’ answers! I’m sure your kids will have excellent answers of their own!)

P) Can you know what mommy thinks?

K) No…

P) So, if mommy wants you to do something, how can you find out?

K) You can’t! (HA!)

P) She has to tell you! You can guess, you can ask, you can do all sorts of stuff, but eventually, mommy has to tell you what to do.

Now, does mommy only tell you what to do? Or does she also tell you how to do it?

P) Do you clean your room the way you want to? Or the way mommy wants you to?

K) Mommy!

So, God has told us what he made us for - to glorify and enjoy him!

P) How can we know the best way to glorify and enjoy Him?

K) The Bible!

P) And is there a higher voice that tells us how we can glorify and enjoy God?

K) No!

P) That’s right! The Bible is the only rule for how we can glorify and enjoy him.

Not the world, not the news, not your neighbor. If you hear advice on how to clean your room that isn’t the same as mommy’s advice, don’t listen!

If you hear advice on how to glorify and enjoy God and it doesn’t work with God’s advice, don’t listen!

And do you know what God’s Word tells us?

God’s Word tells us what to believe about God, and what to do!