Friday, April 13, 2012

The 10 Commandments Still Matter


In the Gospels we read about a rich young man who asks Jesus how he can achieve eternal life. Jesus advises him to obey the commandments. He claims that this is his practice but apparently still feels lost. Jesus tells him to give up everything and follow Him. This is too much for the young man and he sadly walks away from Jesus.

It seems that many want to figure out what is the least they can do to gain salvation. Jesus tells us there are no short cuts. In fact the way to salvation is narrow, while the way to destruction is wide (and, perhaps, paved with good intentions).

The 10 commandments matter not because they are a set of rules to follow but because they represent principles that reveal the heart of God. We cannot keep them perfectly. The Apostle Paul said that they show the depth of our sin. The Pharisees had written many rules as a hedge around God's law so there would no chance of unintentionally sinning but sin they did. The rich young man who approached Jesus certainly felt there was more to spirituality than a set of rules.

The 10 commandments matter because they deal with the two important issues all humans must face, our relationship with God and our relationship with each other.

The 10 commandments matter because they represent God’s design to make life on earth the best it can possibly be. If they are followed correctly, they create a strong, healthy foundation for both society and individuals. If they are ignored there is chaos and corruption. If they are followed incorrectly there is oppression and dysfunction.

This Sunday I will start a series that reveals the deep spiritual principles behind each commandment and how they can lead you to a happier, healthier and more prosperous life in all your endeavors.