Friday, May 2, 2014

5/3/14- Scots Confession #1 a God Aloine

2014 is the 500th anniversary of John Knox of Scotland's birth.  Knox changed the landscape of Scotland, helped preserve Protestantism in England, and had a tremendous effect on presbyterianism.
He wrote (as primary author among six) the Scot's Confession that is found in the Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), The Church of Scotland, and the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO).  The devotions this summer focus on Knox's writings in a devotional way.

Chapter 1- God-
"We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust."

Exodus 20
2“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3“You shall have no other gods beforea me.
4“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,6but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

The first two of the Ten Commandments also speak words- that Knox echoes here.  Some would say these commandments do not encourage monotheism only monolatry (the worship of one God by these particular people).  But in practical reality, there is little difference.  While some may believe there are many gods and they only choose to worship one- this passage would say for now that is enough.  If we truly only worship God the reality of the solo God becomes clear to us.  There is one God who deserves our worship- our belief, our trust, our cleaving in times of joy or trouble.  To worship an idol, or a rabbits foot, or a tree, or the sun, or a made up philosophy would lead us away from our own good and from the reality of the universe.  

Prayer: Help me to trust in you only, O Lord.  Help me to give myself fully to you.  


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