let's start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start...

On this, the first day of 2015, I am thinking about the opening questions of two old catechisms: the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1646-48) and the Heidelberg Catechism (1563). These catechisms are extremely helpful in understanding the basic framework of biblical teaching, and it is amazing the great depths which can be found even in grasping the teaching of the first two questions of each.

WSC #1 What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
(Scripture proofs: Psalm 86:1-17; Isaiah 60:21; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 6:20,31; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 16:5,11; Psalm 144:15; Isaiah 12:2; Luke 2:10; Philippians 4:4; Revelation 21:34)

WSC #2 What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him?
Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how to glorify and enjoy Him.
(Scripture proofs: Matthew 19:4-5 with Genesis 2:24; Luke 24:27,44; 1 Corinthians 2:13, 14:37; 2 Peter 1:20-21, 3:2,15-16; Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 19:7-11; Isaiah 8:20; John 15:11, 20:30-31; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 John 1:4)  

(*** The second question is especially important in showing that we don't decide for ourselves how exactly we are to glorify and enjoy God.)

HC #1 What is your only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.
(Scripture proofs: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 14:7-9; 1 Corinthians 3:23; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7, 2:2; John 8:34-36; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8; John 6:39-40, 10:27-30; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:5; Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18; Romans 8:15-16,28; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:14)

HC #2 What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
Answer: First, how great my sins and misery are; second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.
(Scripture proofs: Romans 3:9-10; 1 John 1:10; John 17:3; Acts 4:12, 10:43; Matthew 5:16; Romans 6:13; Ephesians 5:8-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

May 2015 be a year of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!