Take a minute or two and read Exodus 20: 1-17.
God originally wrote the Ten Commandments. He wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to Moses, Who delivered them to the people. By obeying the Ten Commandments, the people would be showing their gratitude to God. They would be showing their desire to live right to God. The Ten Commandments summarize God’s law to him and others.
New Testament followers show us that they also followed the Ten Commandments. We, today, also need to obey the Ten Commandments. Sincerely obedience reveals the right desires, motives, attitudes, and actions. God’s law requires inner spiritual righteousness. Even though these Ten Commandments show the good things to come. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament law. He did not come to abolish the law or to make it meaningless. The Ten Commandments still have value, wisdom, and spiritual principles that apply to all of us today.
The first commandment doesn’t allow polytheism, the worshipping of other gods. The Israelite was not to worship other pagan gods from other nations. They were commanded to only worship the one true God. This applied to the New Testament follower and for us today. False gods can really be anything that takes the place of God. When we stop praying, leaning on God, and study His word we have put something else in God’s place. We are not to do that if we are followers of God. He has to always be first in our lives.
They were also not to make carved images. This is still important for us today not to make any object a thing that we pray to or to worship. We only should go to God with our praises and prayers. No person or former person or object should we be going to.
Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. We can not take God’s name including making a false promise in his name. We should not say it insincerely or thoughtlessly. This also includes cursing and blaspheming (which means discrediting, disrespecting, insulting, and speaking against God). God’s name is sacred. We must honor, respect, and use his name only in a pure and proper manner. Please be aware, I have noticed many Christians are being careless in this area.
Remember the sabbath day. This is a day that is set apart from the other days. It is different. This is a day to rest and to worship our Lord. Don’t make it a place of disagreement though. God will honor whatever day we choose to make a day of rest and worship him from the other days.
Honor your parents. This means we respect, show kindness, support, and obey our parents. This can be hard, but overall something we because God has it in the Commandments. If we can’t honor our parents, how would we honor God?
The rest of the commandments are laws on how to treat others. We are followers of Christ. Then we need to think of what our words and actions do to others. Do not be a stumbling block for others walk with God.
Breaking these Ten Commandments hurts others, hurts ourselves, and hurts God. Let’s be true followers of God and make him our everything.
Which commandment do you struggle with the most?
How can you work at achieving this struggle of turning away from breaking God’s law?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this glorious day. Thank you for your laws, and for sending your son. I pray that we will not be legalistic, but follow you with a true follower. I pray that we will honor you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
