The Ten Commandments – Comments Part 2
Good day to you reading this column on the Ten Commandments with thoughts and comments.
Here are few questions to ask yourself: Is your house chaotic or orderly? Is your life chaotic or orderly? Are you disciplined or unruly?
Simple questions to answer, well not so quickly, since all of us run into chaos at home, on the highways, in the public, at work, in social situations, at public events, public gatherings and even in church. You name it– we see and experience chaos each and every day.
I must say that the Press, yes, the press, adds to the chaos of the daily routine—listen to the radio or watch on the TV and you must agree that the press sensationalizes the news. Current events, weather, politics and sports are all sensationalized that various subjects become numb to our senses to the happenings of the world, our nation, our town or our community.
A fact of life, yes, but only if we could rein in some of this chaos or unruliness that effects our personal well being and daily living. Wait a minute, I’m not a psychologist, therapist or self-help guru, but I do put my pants on the same way that you do.
So let’s look at the question at heart– How does one keep the orderly laws of peace? To observe and keep the Divine Command which is the law of life and the way of peace. Here’s an example—Turn to Matthew 8: 23-27 (NIV) Then he (Jesus) got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey him!”
Here, the disciples were put to the test of faith with chaos all around them and Jesus was sleeping—An example of chaos versus orderly—Jesus rebuked the winds, order was restored, and disciples were amazed. The author Howard Rand adds the following: Life at its best, with all the blessings of peace, results from keeping the positive commands of God and refraining from violating the negative charges. Is it that hard to keep the positive commands of God? Yes, because we are stiff necked people who want to do it our way. We are like children, who don’t get their way, who don’t think anyone is watching, or make excuses as to why did it? I guess it’s easier to take the hard road than the easy road—a great example is Adam and Eve—if only they didn’t take the forbidden fruit, then Life would be at it’s best.
The Ten Commandments were given by Moses to the Israelite people and adopted by the United States of America. Back in the eighteenth century, our forefathers were driven to implement these Ten Commandments as the basis for our daily living. These Divine laws, given to the Israelites, back centuries ago form the USA law.
As a writer of these Divine Laws, I must say that these laws have gone by the wayside in our society—Why? Some say they are outdated. Others say they are cruel. Others say they aren’t relevant to today’s society. Many pastors very rarely touch on the Ten Commandments because of the above reasons or that it might upset someone in the congregation.
Turn to Psalms 1:2-3 (NIV) But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water. Which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Do you delight in the law of the Lord? Do you yield fruit? Do you really care or are you just too busy? Psalms 119:16 (NIV) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. The longest chapter in the Bible, Psalms 119 goes into depth on keeping the Divine Laws—the commandments, statutes, judgments and decrees from God. Psalms 119 answers each question as to why, when, where and how each of us are to keep God’s commandments and for those of you who think that the commandments are outdated, look at Psalms 119:91 (NIV) Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
The conclusion of the matter is simple, John 15:10 (FF) If you keep My commands, you will continue in My love; just as I have kept the commands of My Father and continue in His love. As a double witness Jesus says in John 14:15 (FF) If you love Me, keep my commands.
Fellow Christian, If you love Christ, then keep his commands—Yes, it is that simple, but in order to keep his commands, turn with me to 2Timothy 2:15 (FF) Exert your self to stand approved with God, as a skillful workman, arranging in order the reason for the Truth.
AS we conclude this lesson, exert your self to stand approved with God for if you love God you will keep his commands.
Thank you for taking the time to read this column. May God Bless you and May you Bless God in all things.
Jeff