An observation on the classic catechisms (Westminster, Heidelberg, etc.)

Notice when reading one of the classic catechisms such as the Westminster Shorter Catechism or the Heidelberg Catechism there is a disappointment (for some of us) when you get beyond the doctrinal parts and they close out with rundowns of the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer. There is disappointment because more is expected. What is missing?

It's in these parts of the catechisms that is elucidated what one actually does as a Christian. Good works. Good works, as the Heidelberg Catechism (or, Ursinus in his Commentary on that catechism) states are works that are, among other things, commanded by God. So they then discuss the Ten Commanments. Which is proper, but they are leaving out something rather big.

They are leaving out the teaching on good works of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament. Things like turn the other cheek, and love thy enemy, and practicing watchfulness, and separating yourself unto the Gospel (and away from the world), and fearing God only (in the sense of not fearing/revering man or the world or any aspect of the creation rather than the Creator), and waiting on the Lord, &c. All of which can be seen, or culled by implication from the Ten Commandments, but they are not explicitly stated in them which is why Jesus spoke the words he spoke in the New Testament. And they aren't all summed up, either, in the Lord's Prayer, anymore than the Sermon on the Mount is summed up in the Lord's Prayer.

It's a strange missing element from these great, classic catechisms.

It's because the teaching of Jesus is of a different level and stage. To value the teaching of Jesus (to even see it) requires true regeneration effected by the Word and the Spirit. Narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Now it is high time to awake out of sleep...