Day 5: The Only True God, No Rivals
The Doctrine of God: Days 2-28
Scripture
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 ESV
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 ESV
Confessional Summary
The Reformed confessions begin where Scripture begins, with God Himself. The Belgic Confession opens by confessing that there is “one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God,” and it describes Him as “eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good” (Belgic Confession, Article 1).
Westminster says the same truth with clean force, “There is but one only, living, and true God” (Westminster Confession of Faith 2.1). The Larger Catechism presses it into the first commandment, that we must know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and worship and glorify Him accordingly, and that we must have no other gods in His place (Westminster Larger Catechism 104–105).
The Reformers treated the oneness of God as a pastoral demand, not a classroom idea. One God means one rightful Lord of the whole heart, which is why repentance always includes turning from rivals, not just avoiding obvious idols.
The Reformed confessions begin where Scripture begins, with God Himself. The Belgic Confession opens by confessing that there is “one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God,” and it describes Him as “eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good” (Belgic Confession, Article 1).
Westminster says the same truth with clean force, “There is but one only, living, and true God” (Westminster Confession of Faith 2.1). The Larger Catechism presses it into the first commandment, that we must know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and worship and glorify Him accordingly, and that we must have no other gods in His place (Westminster Larger Catechism 104–105).
The Reformers treated the oneness of God as a pastoral demand, not a classroom idea. One God means one rightful Lord of the whole heart, which is why repentance always includes turning from rivals, not just avoiding obvious idols.
Reflection
Monotheism is not mainly a math statement. It is a loyalty statement. “The LORD is one” means God is not one option among many, not a slice of your life, not a helpful addition to your plans. He is Creator, everything else is creation.
That is why the first commandment is so searching. Idolatry is not mainly bowing to statues. It is giving ultimate weight to something God made. It happens when a good thing becomes a god thing, when comfort becomes non-negotiable, when control becomes your refuge, when approval becomes your oxygen, when success becomes your identity, when nation or family or even ministry becomes the thing you cannot lose. The giveaway is what you fear losing most, what you protect at all costs, what you obey even when it contradicts God.
The first commandment is God’s kindness to you because rival gods always promise life and then take it. They demand sacrifice, and they punish you when you fail them. The living God gives Himself. He claims exclusive worship because He alone is life, and because He refuses to let you be owned by a counterfeit.
Monotheism is not mainly a math statement. It is a loyalty statement. “The LORD is one” means God is not one option among many, not a slice of your life, not a helpful addition to your plans. He is Creator, everything else is creation.
That is why the first commandment is so searching. Idolatry is not mainly bowing to statues. It is giving ultimate weight to something God made. It happens when a good thing becomes a god thing, when comfort becomes non-negotiable, when control becomes your refuge, when approval becomes your oxygen, when success becomes your identity, when nation or family or even ministry becomes the thing you cannot lose. The giveaway is what you fear losing most, what you protect at all costs, what you obey even when it contradicts God.
The first commandment is God’s kindness to you because rival gods always promise life and then take it. They demand sacrifice, and they punish you when you fail them. The living God gives Himself. He claims exclusive worship because He alone is life, and because He refuses to let you be owned by a counterfeit.
Application
Pay attention to what you fear losing most. That often reveals your functional god. Bring one specific rival into the light, without soft language or excuses. Then take one small act of obedience this week that costs that idol something and shows that God, not that rival, sits on the throne.
Prayer
Lord, You alone are God. Expose my rival loyalties and pull down my hidden altars. Bring my heart under your good rule and keep me there. Through Christ. Amen.
Pay attention to what you fear losing most. That often reveals your functional god. Bring one specific rival into the light, without soft language or excuses. Then take one small act of obedience this week that costs that idol something and shows that God, not that rival, sits on the throne.
Prayer
Lord, You alone are God. Expose my rival loyalties and pull down my hidden altars. Bring my heart under your good rule and keep me there. Through Christ. Amen.