Der dritte Teil: Von der Dankbarkeit — 38. Sonntag
The Purpose of the Sabbath
The fourth commandment calls believers to public worship, instruction, and communal charity.
What does God want in the fourth commandment? God wants, on one hand, that the preaching office and Christian instruction be maintained, and that I, especially on holidays, diligently attend the house of God. There, I should learn God's Word, use the holy sacraments, call upon the Lord publicly, and give to the needy in Christian love.
The Eternal Sabbath
True Sabbath-keeping involves daily repentance and allowing the Spirit to work, beginning the eternal rest now.
On the other hand, I should celebrate my life by turning away from my evil works every day and allow the Lord to work in me through His Spirit. In this way, I begin the eternal Sabbath even in this life. The term 'celebrate' means to refrain from.
Read the original Latin
Was will Gott im vierten Gebot? Gott will zum einen, dass das Predigtamt und die christliche Unterweisung erhalten bleiben und dass ich, besonders am Feiertag, zu der Gemeinde Gottes fleißig komme. Dort soll ich Gottes Wort lernen, die heiligen Sakramente gebrauchen, den Herrn öffentlich anrufen und in christlicher Nächstenliebe für Bedürftige spenden. Zum andern soll ich an allen Tagen meines Lebens von meinen bösen Werken feiern und den Herrn durch seinen Geist in mir wirken lassen. So fange ich den ewigen Sabbat schon in diesem Leben an. „feiern“= ablassen
Heidelberg Catechism (Heidelbergse Catechismus) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit