Ten Rules for Right Living #1

When one thinks of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20-1-17), they usually have a picture of Charlton Heston as Moses turning away from the fiery finger of God as God etched them into the stone tablets.  These commandments have been the spiritual and moral framework by which generations of men have lived.  There is no other succinct statement of moral responsibility to God and man.   Sad to say, those who should know them, Christians, are woefully at  a loss when asked to recite them.  Take a look at the following interview taken outside of a local church.  How well would you do?

Jesus summed up the ten commandments (Matthew 22:37-40) by stating that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind.  This takes in commandments one through four.  Secondly, Jesus said we were to love our neighbor as ourself.  These actions are seen in commandments 5-10.  Jesus did not say, "If a man obeys me, he will keep my commandments."  He did say, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15)

You see, the commandments are not a list of do's and don'ts but rather the key to a successful life from God who loves us desperately.  If we desire a successful life, the answer doesn't lie in trying in our human efforts to obey the Ten Commandments, but in loving God intimately.  When that loving relationship is secure, obedience to the commandments is no problem.

Come see us Sunday. We will begin a study of the Ten Commandments and how they can lead us into successful living in our world today.

Pastor Jeff