Dec. 23, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 1
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exodus 20:1-2 KJV
LET IT GLOW
What do we allow to be a part of our lives? My time is precious to me in this busy world. I'm sure you feel the same way. I have been really busy this week, what with cooking, shopping, wrapping gifts, preparing for THAT DAY-CHRISTMAS DAY. Can't we just skip the Old Testament and read a few red lines that Jesus spoke?
Why even study the Law if we are under grace? Weren't the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites for them to obey? What about us?
If we didn't have these guidelines telling us it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, covet, where would our society be? I think it's like asking where would we be without electricity, automobiles, computers. They are a part of our daily lives. So aren't the Ten Commandments supposed to be a part of our lives, too?
Civil, social, and religious laws were received by Moses on Mt. Sinai, orally presented (verse 3), then written down (verse 4), and read to the people. The Ten Commandments, known as the Decalogue, was given directly from God. God spoke all these words. They are formed as a precept or direct command given in the second person. The Ten Commandments may be grouped into two categories. The first is the vertical, man's relationship to God (verses 2-11) and the second is the horizontal, man's relationship to the community (verse 12-17). (MacArthur)
The Mosaic Law was added to the Abrahamic covenant later, but it did not disannul it (Gal.3:13-18). God did not give the Law to save anybody, because it is impossible to be saved by keeping of the Law (Gal. 3:11,20). (Wiersbe)
Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it the Law or the prophets. (Matt. 5:17)
There are some things the Law cannot do:
- make anything perfect (Heb. 7:11-10, 10:1-2)
- justify from sin (Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:20-28)
- give righteousness (Gal. 2:21)
- give peace to the heart (Heb. 9:9)
- give life (Gal. 3:20). (Wiersbe)
The Law is our set of standards for right and wrong. I plan to study each one of the Ten Commandments separately in future posts.
LET IT GROW
As Christians, how are we to relate to the Law?
- We are not under the Law (Rom 6:14; Gal. 5:18), but under grace.
- In Christ, we died to the Law (Rom 7:1-4) and have been delivered from the Law, so we serve in the newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter (Rom. 7:5-6)
- Christ was made under the Law (Gal. 4:4-6) and fulfilled the Law in every respect (Matt. 5:17).
- Since we live under grace, we are a son or daughter of God and must not become entangled again in the bondage of the Law (Gal. 5:1-4).
- The New Testament law of love deals with inward attitudes. (2 Cor.3)
- However, being free from the Law does not mean we are free to sin-liberty is not a license. We must use that liberty for the good of others and the glory of God (Gal. 5:13-26). By love we are to serve one another.
The Ten Commandments show us our sins and we cannot keep the Law. Thus, we see our need for a Savior, which is Jesus Christ. His blood cleanses us of our sins (spiritually). After we are under grace, these commandments are a guide for us.
What the Lord demanded of Israel then is still required of His people today. The only difference is that today we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to please the Lord and forgiven by grace when we sin. (Falwell)
Are my inward attitudes that of love towards God and others? In Matthew 27:37-40, Jesus tells us to love God and love our neighbor. These are the greatest of the commandments.
Since God is gracious to me, I am to be gracious to others. Grace is unmerited favor, what we don't deserve.
LET IT GO
Love God and love others.
Show grace to others.
Make the Ten Commandments a part of my life.
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