Big Ten
1 Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-17)
The Ten Commandments have been taught to us since we were children. We might even be able to recite them from memory. If we look at them on the surface, they seem easy enough to abide by. Most of us never carve or sculpt something and worship it, and most of us will never kill anyone. But how often do we put things and people before God - before God's direction or God's will? While we may not physically kill someone, how often do our words destroy rather than build up others or even ourselves? And what about that little white lie to make ourselves look better or innocent? The point is that we all fail to keep God's law - not just with the big ten, but especially when we pare them down to the heart of the law that Jesus summarizes as loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. We fail. More than that, God knew that we would fail.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 5:6-8, 6:23)
God wasn't setting us up for hopelessness, God was setting us up for grace. God wants us to see our sinfulness clearly so that we can see clearly our need for a Savior. Without the sacrifice of Jesus, we would be doomed to face the ultimate consequence for our sin - a death that separates us from God eternally. By putting our trust in Jesus, we get to be released from our sin to live life abundantly now, and live eternally at peace with God. We have done nothing to deserve this gift, we can do nothing to earn this gift, we can only receive this gift with humble gratitude and exuberant praise. To God be the glory!
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:7-14)
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