God gave the commands to Israel through Moses, but Scripture also teaches that the moral code is written on all peoples heart. This is our conscience and what makes us in the image of God. (Romans 2.14,15) Unfortunately, God's moral mandate is often only viewed as only prohibitions, rather than for they what they really are: a positive guide for living. Each 'command' carries a positive connotation as well as what not to do. Let's take a look at each one in that light.
1. 'You shall have no other gods besides me' We know through God's Word that there is only one true God. Any 'god' besides the Triune God of Scripture is a false 'god'. But first we must ask, "what is a god?" "A god is that to which we look for all good and in which we find refuge in every time of need." (Luther). A god is what you look to for comfort, solace, and refuge. It is what your heart clings to, it is what you treasure most.
What is commanded in the above command is that we must make sure that what we hold dearest and what we turn to in time of need is not a false god. Today false gods are money, drugs and alcohol, sex, pride, selfishness, or even another human being. Your god is what you turn to in time of trial, it is what dominates your life, it is where you turn in time of anxiety and stress.
The positive aspect of the command is that we are to love and trust God in all things. We are to lay hold of him and embrace Him with our heart. We are to pour out our hearts to Him in time of trouble and give thanks to Him in time of joy. We must remember that he does not only forbid us from in trusting what is false, but he desires and invites us to have a personal relationship with Him.
2. 'You shall not misuse the Name of the Lord your God' What, then is God's Name? His name is how he has revealed Himself. His Name reveals His attributes and His character. God has 2 primary names in Scripture. 'I Am" and 'Jesus'. The name 'I Am' is from 'Yahweh', which derives from the Hebrew word 'hayeh' which means 'to be'. God is there, and He is real and eternal. The name 'Jesus' means 'I Am and I save'. The Name of God reveals to us that He is there for us and desires to "save us" to be always present for us.
We are not to misuse His name. How would we misuse His Name? By taking it lightly or for granted. By when we curse, lie, swear, joke, or deceive using His Name. It is misused by false teachers, like televangelists and cults in our day who rake in cash, using the Name of God.
How do we positively use His Name? When we treasure His Name and cherish it in our hearts. His Name means He is there and He loves us. We use His name properly when we call upon it in every trouble in every need, and for every joy, and in all praise and thanksgiving. We bear His name as 'Christians'. We honor His name when we live in such a way that brings honor to His Name.
3. 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy' The Sabbath day was the day that was set aside for public worship and rest. We profane the Sabbath day when we refuse to attend community worship and listen to the preaching of God's Word. We profane it when we refuse the fellowship of believers (Hebrews 10.25)and we refuse to enter God's rest.
We fulfill the Sabbath when we gladly honor the preaching of God's Word and participate in public worship. We honor the Sabbath when we enter the rest of Jesus. The Old Testament Sabbath was a physical day of rest. It was a type and shadow of the true Sabbath rest that is fulfilled in Jesus, a spiritual rest found in hearts that receive His mercy and salvation. (Hebrews 4.9, 10; Colossians 2.16,17;
Matthew 11.28. We "keep the Sabbath rest" when we cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5.7) and do not give way to worry and fear.
4. 'Honor your Father and your Mother' This means that we honor our parents and all those placed in authority by God over us, including civil government, our pastors, our employers, and teachers.
How do we dishonor our Father and Mother? When we despise, ignore, rebel or display contempt or anger, undermine their authority, or slander them.
How do we honor them? By loving, esteeming, obeying, and respecting them, because they have been placed there by God (Romans 13).
5. 'You Shall Not Murder" God forbids taking human life, through murder, abortion, euthanasia, neglect, unlawful military orders, and suicide. God does not forbid all killing, such as in defense of the helpless, or one's family, by the military in a just war, or by the execution of criminals.
We break this command not only by directly committing such crimes, but when we fail to assist those in danger of death. If one fails to feed a starving person, or defend a helpless person, or warn someone who is about to be attacked or hurt themselves, we commit murder in an indirect manner.
When we feed the hungry, defend the helpless, promote health, and safety, and when we speak out against the unjust crimes of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and help our neighbor in any way to live , we honor the command.
6. 'You Shall Not Commit Adultery' Adultery is a violation of the covenant of marriage.
How do we break the command? But not remaining sexually pure in our marriage, devoted only to our spouse, or by undermining the institution by anything we say or do.
By having any kind of relationship that infringes upon the sacred trust and friendship of any marriage. By promoting any practice in society that undermines sexual purity, such as homosexual 'marriage', pornography, jesting or denigrating marriage in any fashion.
How do we positively obey the command? When we recognize and promote the fact that any sexual activity outside of a permanent marriage between a man and a woman is mortal sin. When we treat our spouse with respect, kindness and gentleness. When we do and say things to promote their self-esteem. When we refuse to say unkind or hurtful things, especially in the presence of others. When we maintain an honest, open relationship and never allow someone of the opposite sex to intrude into our friendship and devotion to one another. When we help other married couples through counsel and friendship. When we encourage couples living in fornication to embrace the sacred covenant of marriage.
7. 'You Shall Not Steal'
God forbids, every kind of deception for personal gain, dishonest or deceitful business practices, every kind of robbery or theft, failing to repay debts, claiming government welfare when one is able to work, taking money from some and giving to others (socialism and communism), unjust taxation.
We obey the command positively by never defrauding our neighbor but assist them in defending their goods and finances. By objecting to the theft of others and denouncing it. In always practicing the utmost integrity in business, even if to our detriment , knowing a just God will reward us. By supporting law enforcement and those devoted to protecting the resources and property of others.
8. 'You Shall Not Speak Falsely of Your Neighbor'
God forbids telling lies about our neighbor, passing on rumors or innuendo,
and also withholding telling the truth about a defamed neighbor. He also forbids revealing secrets our neighbor has entrusted to us in confidence in order to defame him or promote our own self interest. (Proverbs 11.13)
We obey the command when we refuse to listen to gossip, when we always choose to believe the best about our neighbor. When we say good things about our neighbor, and honor them in the presence of others. When we thank our neighbor and appreciate the good they say and do. When we present something positive about our neighbor whenever they are presented negatively. When we confront someone who lies about our neighbor.
9. 'You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor's House' This means his estate and all his personal wealth.
How do we obey this? By being content with what we have. By rejoicing for what our neighbor has and helping our neighbor preserve and protect what they have.
10. 'You Shall not Covet Your Neighbor's Wife, or Anything That Belongs to Your Neighbor.
This means we are not to be jealous or envious of what another has. That we not only refuse to undermine or steal from the blessings of another persons life, but we help them safeguard it. It means above all that our neighbor should be able to trust us.
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