Do You Really Get It?
If you believe in God, then you need to know that God gave us rules to follow. These are most familiarly known as the Ten Commandments (found in Exodus 20).
Now, some of you may be thinking, Those were from a long time ago. They don't apply to the way things are now. You know what? God knew what was, what is, and what is to be. He knew how things were going to be, so they do apply to us.
Or maybe you're thinking more along the line of, Compared to others, I'm pretty good. Others do far worse things than I do. God doesn't compare us to the world's standards; He compares us to His. You may think you measure up pretty good when you compare yourself to those around you. But on God's standard, you're comparing yourself to Jesus... He lived a perfect life.
Well, let's just take a little walk through the Ten Commandments.
The first four commandments tell us our obligation to God:
"You must not have any other god but me."
(Verse 3)
Have you ever put something first in your life besides God? Your money, your job, your friends or family? God doesn't want it to be this way. He wants to be your first priority. If you put God first in your life, then everything else will fall into place. Matthew 6.33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
"You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea."
(Verse 4)
Verse 5 continues, "You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." Have you created an idol for yourself? Do you worship something or someone other than God?
"You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God."
(Verse 7)
Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? God doesn't like it when we do. Verse 7 continues, "The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name."
"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."
(Verse 8)
One day a week is meant to be set aside for God. It is to be dedicated as a holy day of rest and focus on God. This means no work! There are many scripture references I could give for this one, but Exodus 31.13 gives us one in which God is speaking to Moses and explains the reason why He wants it to be this way: "Tell the people of Israel: 'Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.'". In Isaiah 58.13, God tells us how we are to keep the Sabbath holy: "Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly." How have you been about observing this commandment?
The last six commandments tell us our obligation to ourselves and each other:
"Honor your father and mother."
(Verse 12)
Have you ever disobeyed your parents? We are to do what they tell us to do and stay away from what they tell us not to do. This teaches us, from a very young age, the manner in which we are to obey God. Ephesians 6.1-3 tells us, "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 'Honor your father and mother.' This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.'"
"You must not murder."
(Verse 13)
Most of us think we're safe on this one... but listen to this: Matthew 5.21-22 says, "You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!". Have you ever been angry with someone? This is considered murder to God, because God looks at your heart. When you are angry with someone, your heart "murders" them with thoughts and words.
"You must not commit adultery."
(Verse 14)
Matthew 5.27-28 says, "You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you ever looked at someone (who wasn't your spouse) lustfully? This is considered adultery to God.
"You must not steal."
(Verse 15)
It doesn't matter how big or small... If you steal money from a bank, then you're a thief. If you steal your neighbor's tool, you're a thief. If you steal a stapler from your co-worker's office, you're a thief. God says in Leviticus 19.11, "Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another." Have you ever stolen anything?
"You must not testify falsely against your neighbor."
(Verse 16)
Have you ever lied? God doesn't want us to lie; He wants us to tell the truth. Proverbs 12.22 says, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth."
"You must not covet..."
(Verse 17)
Have you ever wanted your boss's job, your neighbor's car, or your friend's house? Instead of being jealous of others and what they have, we should be happy for them and content with what we have. In 1 Timothy 6.6-7 it says, "Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it."
If you have broken any of these Commandments, even just once, then you are considered a sinner in God's eyes. The punishment for sin is death. Romans 2.5-6 says, "For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done."
A lot of times, we think that since God is good and kind, He will just "forget" about our sins and let us enter His kingdom. But because He is good, He cannot allow a crime to go unpunished, just like a judge cannot allow a crime to go unpunished.
But, you know what? God gave us a gift. If you truly believe that you are sinner, then take a look at Do you realize what God did for you?
- Kristi Green
