Q. 104. What are the duties required in the first commandment?

A. The duties required in the first commandment are, the knowing and acknowledging of God to be the only true God, and our God; 1 Chron. 28:9; Deut. 26:7; Isa. 43:10; Jer. 14:22

Prooftext Understanding and Agreement Personal Inventory Meditation and Vow
List each prooftext from the Catechism. Cross-reference these texts for additional references First, you must agree that the Catechism has correctly explained the implications of the Commandment. Assuming it has, you must agree with God that you are obligated to carry out those principles in your life. Second, you must ask yourself if you have violated each aspect of the command. This page is designed to help you pinpoint your offenses.
  • First ask "What?" Simply ask, "Have I obeyed this part of the command?" Ask the Lord to bring to your mind specific instances when you have failed to carry out the Lord's mandate.
  • Then ask "Who?" You can find out who has been offended by your failure to obey this commandment if you follow the steps found here. You will want to make amends to that person, in an appropriate manner, and we will discover how to do that after you have completed this "inventory."
 Third, you must take steps to develop the Character of Christ, and eliminate "character defects" from your life.
  • First, personalize the verse.
  • Vow to reverse the effects of your sins.
    • Make amends to those who have been harmed
    • Kill the "old man" by repudiating bad actions and habits
    • Put on Christ by vowing to live today in obedience to this command.
  • Work through the Character Trait Checklist for a character trait that corresponds to this part of the Catechism.
1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. • Have I served God with a loyal heart and a willing mind?
• Have I forgotten that God searches all hearts and understands the intent of my thoughts?
• Have I forgotten that if I seek God, He will be found by me, but that if I forsake Him, He will cast me off?		    
Deuteronomy 26:17 "Today you have proclaimed the LORD to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice. Have I surrendered my life to God, to let Him direct it according to His Word?    
Isaiah 43:10 "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. Am I convinced that nothing existed before God, and nothing will exist after Him?    
Jeremiah 14:22 Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are You not He, O LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for You, Since You have made all these. Do I trust God for all my needs, knowing that the United Nations is not God, and "nature" is not God, that only the LORD is God?