What are the Ten Commandments?

The foundational principle at the core of God’s Law is love - putting the needs of others ahead of our own. These laws are a reflection of God’s nature; they show how He thinks and since God has always existed, they have always existed.

Nevertheless, the Book of Exodus famously describes Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt. On their journey to the Promised Land, God spoke the Ten Commandments and wrote them on two tablets of stone (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 4:13). 

These Ten Commandments revealed God’s moral law as the framework for creating a just, righteous society not only for Israel, but all other nations who would follow them. Yet, they’re even more profound than that!

The Ten Commandments are like laws of physics – they are rules of how life was designed to work. As Jesus Christ explained, the first four commandments teach us how to show love towards God and the final six teach us how to show love towards our fellow humans. 

Matthew 22:37- 40 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Romans 13:8-10: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Ultimately, they are a reflection of God’s nature – they help us understand who God is, and the kind of character He wants us to develop in ourselves.

‍1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

If we want to know Who God is, then we have to know and keep His commandments!

Are We Really Still Supposed to Obey Them?

Some think the Ten Commandments were laws Jesus Christ “nailed to the cross”, and that He fulfilled them for us so there’s no longer a need to follow or even be concerned about them. But, this couldn’t be further from what Jesus Christ actually taught!   

Breaking God’s Law is called sin in the Bible (I John 3:4). While the ultimate penalty for sin has been paid by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, the Bible is very clear that sin still exists (Romans 3:23).  So, logically, if sin exists, then the Law must also exist in order to break it.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 5:19 [And Jesus said]…"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus Christ set the example and showed us how to live. He was obedient to God’s law even to the point of death (Philippians 2:8).  He obeyed all the commandments and told us that we should do likewise.

The night before Jesus Christ was taken to be crucified He said to His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

If we want to obey God we must obey the Ten Commandments. It’s a demonstration of our submission and love towards Him. None of them are optional.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

Keeping the Ten Commandments is Life Changing.

Finding happiness, joy, and hope on our own in this world is no easy task. However, as the Bible proves, God gave the Ten Commandments out of love for us to help us find success in life and avoid the suffering that comes from living contrary to His intended purpose for mankind. The God who made us has provided a path forward - a light to shine in the darkness:

Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life…”

By learning to apply God’s Law in our lives, He promises blessings so we can begin to experience what life truly has to offer and the eventual eternal reward which awaits.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Obedience to the Ten Commandments not only benefits our physical life, but begins our transformation to be just like Him. Jesus Christ was very clear that following God’s commandments is an essential step to achieve the ultimate purpose He intends for you – to be changed into an eternal member of God’s family.

‍Matthew 19:16-17  Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is], God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

The Ten Commandments are absolutely relevant for our lives today. If you obey them, God guarantees incredible blessings  – a better physical life and awesome spiritual rewards. 

While salvation is a gift, obedience is still required. Through His perfect design, He has shown us a better way. Will we obey and allow our lives to be changed by His Law of love? The choice is ours!

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