The Ten Commandments
“God”
Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee (7/26/2019)
from Exodus 20:3-17
Thou shalt have no other gods
before Me Exodus 20:3
Many Christians I speak with (supposedly admitted followers of Christ), tell me about their walk, their conversion and sometimes, their relationship with Christ. Most I have spoken with, honestly admit that they have not read the Bible, and definitely on a daily basis. When asked them to recite most of the Ten Commandments, the best they can do is to is to name one of them or possibly two.
Some will immediately say “we don’t live under the ten commandments any longer.” There are many who have little respect for the Commandments and will even state the following verses: Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal 3:24-25).
But let’s read a few more verses from Romans. Below are three examples about being saved by faith and the law. Note that Paul said “God forbid” in these verses which means exactly that. “God forbid.”
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law (Rom 3:31).
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Rom 6:1-2).
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid (Rom 6:15).
One of the Pharisees, a lawyer, asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment and Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt 22:37). This is the first and great commandment (Matt 22:38). And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matt 22:39).
Jesus skillfully fulfilled the Ten Commandments with these two that He gave the Pharisees. But it covers all ten. Even though we are saved by grace through faith, God wants us to know and respect His commandments.
So since Jesus hasn’t changed God’s word “one jot or tittle,” the Ten Commandments are meant for us. For our protection, for a reminder to us, and to help us live a peaceful and satisfying life. The Ten Commandments is also for the lost, to convict them of their sin. We should love the Ten Commandments and cherish them since God gave them to all of us. What a guide they are for all of us. Let’s memorize them and better still, teach them to our children and grandchildren. It will be a tool to lead them to Christ.
1 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me [No other gods.]
2 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images [No graven images.]
3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain [No cursing or using the Lord’s name in vain.]
4 Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy [ Remember the Sabbath Day. ]
5 Honor thy father and mother [ Honor your folks (or guardians) ].
6 Thou shalt not kill [ Do not murder ]
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery [ Do not commit adultery. ]
8 Thou shalt not steal [ Do not steal ]
9 Thou shalt not bear false witness [ Do not lie ]
10 Thou shalt not covet [ Do not desire others property or be jealous of them ]
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. John 15:10
Gary Waddell • Thanks for “Taking 5" • iamnotashamed.com
Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee • God bless and bless GOD
