HOW
ARE YOU DOING ON THE BIG 10?
by Dan Cush
The
10 Commandments found in Exodus 20 is the beginning
of the law for His people. Commands are orders that
should be followed, not just suggestions for when
you get around to it. I tended to think of them as
restrictive "fun killers" as I grew up.
"Don't do this!" "Don't do that!"
More recently, I've learned that God gives us commands
to keep us in relationship with Him and with others,
to keep us from grieving God (with our sins) and help
us not to hurt others or our relationships with others.
God understands what the consequences of sins are
better than we do, so he warns us ahead of time in
hopes that we would heed the advice.
"Okay
so I know what to avoid now (don't do this, don't
do that...), but what do I do instead?" In light
of this question, I asked God to help me create the
positive 10 commandments. So here it goes...
(1)
God is the only real God - A No-brainer
to some of us, but to Israel coming out of Egypt,
this was a big deal. Many gods in Egypt, many gods
in the lands they were to wander in, many gods in
the land of Caanan, even false gods too (golden calf
in Exodus 32). God is saying "I am real! We have
relationship together, remember?" That's why
He says in Exodus 20:2 "...who brought you out
of the land of slavery."
(2)
Worship only God - God says only
I deserve your attention, affection and adoration.
He's also saying that you will be tempted to give
those things elsewhere and that it could affect His
relationship with us.
(3)
Use God's name well - Names were
serious business in the Bible, especially in the Old
Testament. Think seriously about how you use God's
name. Do you say "Oh my God, Oh my God"
all the time? Curse or swear using His name? Put on
an air of religiosity or spirituality just for show?
Attribute something to God when its really you and
your idea and not His leading and guiding?
(4)
Set apart Sunder for rest - What
do your Sundays look like? Are they restful or just
filled with everything you didn't do or didn't have
time to get in from Monday through Saturday?
(5)
Honor Mom and Dad - Why? Because
it's so easy not to. It's easy to blame them, see
no good in them, think they are out of touch or too
old or whatever. Only since I have become a parent
myself do I see the office of mom and dad in a new
light. Honor them by serving them, thanking them,
taking time to consider their perspective, disagree
respectfully, speak the truth in love to them, take
good care of them in their old age.
(6)
Respect life - Life is a gift from
God, to you and to others. This is why murder, suicide,
abortion, euthanasia, etc. is not of God. Only He
knows what can be accomplished in our lives or in
others if we give him the chance.
(7)
Make love only to your spouse - Genesis
2:24 is where the two first become one. God designed
sex to be something that strengthens the bond between
two people. That's why it's supposed to only take
place between a man and woman in the blessing of marriage.
Anything outside of that is not what is intended and
only produces shame and guilt and drives a wedge between
you and your spouse or between you and God, if you
are single.
(8)
Acquire what you need the right way
- Instead of stealing, work for it, earn it, ask for
it or don't get it isn't really needed.
(9)
Always tell the truth - Truth builds
honor, respect and trust between people or groups
of people. Can you speak the truth and be honest?
Do others know you are a person of your word? Telling
the truth is heard sometimes (maybe most time). But
it beats telling a string of lies, covering your trail
and having to apologize for it later.
(10)
Be content with what you have - Are
you? Do you know the difference between a need and
a want? Coveting focuses us on things that distract
us from what really matters.
I
am challenged and tempted on all 10 of these weekly.
It's so easy for me to miss the subtleties within
any one. As I wrote notes on these, God showed me
times I lied, lusted, wanted, established an idol,
did work on Sunday, etc. God forgive me for missing
the mark (sinning) and cleanse me again because I
need it again. I pray for wisdom and discernment for
you so that all of you can see where God can help
you improve as well. He's good at showing us how to
get better over time (Romans 12:2).
Bless
you more today than yesterday,
Dan
Cush
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