August 26 – LD 34, Day 7: One God and Savior

Read: John 14:1-13

Judaism is a monotheistic religion which claims to worship the God of the Bible. But this is not true, because they deny Jesus Christ, who is the revelation of the Father.

The first commandment tells us not only that there is only one God, but also that there is only one Savior and one way of salvation. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, is the only Savior. The only way of salvation is through faith in him.

Scripture tells us that God is jealous of his worship. Isa 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Yet at the same time, the Bible says of Jesus, in Heb 1:6, “let all the angels of God worship Him.” If we follow simple logic, our conclusion must be, “Christ is worthy of worship because he is God.”

It is in that light that we must read this first commandment. To worship God is to believe in Him. Jesus says, “ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). Thomas says to Jesus, “My LORD and my God” (John 20:28). It is by believing in Jesus Christ that we worship the true God. We believe in Jesus for salvation from sin. We trust in Him alone, and none else for our forgiveness and righteousness. As we do this, we worship God alone, and we put aside all idolatry.

The catechism makes this connection when it says that in keeping the first commandment we “renounce and forsake all creatures” and that each of us does this “as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul.” Believing on Jesus Christ means fleeing all idolatry, not trusting any other creature, and placing all our confidence in Jehovah God as he has revealed Himself in his Son, Jesus Christ.

Do you do that? Do you believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation? Are you trusting yourself or something else other than Christ for your acceptance with God? God says, “Worship me alone!” Jesus says, “Believe on me, as the only way to the Father.”

May the Lord give us this true faith!