Love to hear from and know who is listening
The Ten Commandments. Every major religion embraces them. Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Jehovah’s Witness, Catholics and Christians. Even people who are not religious acknowledge the ten commandments. The phrase written in stone is a reference to Exodus 38:18 where God gave Moses the 10 Commandments on two tablets of stone. The Ten Commandments are a basic moral code that most people would say they agree with. So how many of the commandments can you name? Gotcha.... Most of you are thinking, don’t murder, don't steal, something about adultery, I think God's doesn't like that, obey your parents, I think that is one, maybe God helps those that help themselves. The Ten Commandments is the most influential document of all time that no one really knows. I can name all 7 of the castaways from the sitcom Gilligan's Island; there is the Skipper, Gilligan, the Professor, Mary Ann, Ginger, Thurston and Lovey Howell. So what has had more influence on my life, Gilligan's Island or the Ten Commandments? We would all agree that the ten commandments are a great moral compass that we should follow, but somehow they have slipped off our radar screen. Let's focus on just two of them, how about we start with the very first one. You shall have no other God.
Exodus 20: 3-5 NIV You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.
When we read in the bible about the Israelites making a golden calf it’s easy to think, “I’m off the hook on this one. No golden cow in my backyard. What really is an idol? An idol is anything you look at and say, If I have that, then I’ll feel like my life has meaning. I will feel secure. Or from the other side of the coin. That thing in my life that is so valuable if I lose it, my life would not be worth living. So you may not have a golden cow in your yard, but what about money? Is it that one thing that if you had it you would feel like your life had meaning or you would feel more secure or the opposite without money you feel insecure, like life is not worth living. So let' move on to one more commandment.
Exodus 20:14 NIV You shall not commit adultery.
This is one that is so overlooked. Most people would frown on someone having an affair with another married person, but adultery is much more than the physical act, or should I say it is much less than the physical act. It is the lustful look, the leering glance, the secret lustful thought, the imagined act. Of all the commandments you might break, the sin of adultery, is the most slippery. So how do we obey the Ten Commandments if we can't even remember them? Very simple, just love God and love your neighbor!
Matthew 22: 36-40 NIV Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
If you love God you won't have any idols or use God's name in vain, you will keep the sabbath holy and you will honor your father and mother... If you love your neighbor, you won't kill anyone, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet your neighbors stuff. So just love God and your neighbor and the rest is easy!
