Being a former member of the US military I am sort of used to discipline,orders and rules. But it is a good practice for anyone to be disciplined. Society has rules for us to follow that if and when we do, will keep us from going to jail. Things such as obeying traffic laws, not running red lights, not littering the highways, no robbing stores or homes. You get the idea. Rules are made for our good and if we follow them then we will be better off. Now this is not saying everything we do in society needs a rule since self government is the best but this is to say we need certain restraints just for things to run more smoothly. If cars just drove right through red lights it would be pretty chaotic don't you think? And if people just robbed a store anytime they felt like it that is not good either.
God has rules for us to follow too called The Ten Commandments. These are found in the Old Testament in Exodus Chapter 20. If we follow the rules set forth in these commandments life would sure be a lot better and the ability to know the truth and obey right and wrong would be restored.
Exodus 20:13-17 says " “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name,“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Pretty clear even if in Kings James English. No killing, no stealing, no lying, no desiring other peoples' stuff. No worshipping statues. No using God's name as a cuss word. Do not put other gods before him. Remember Sunday is a special day to honor God. Honor and respect your mom and dad. Do not commit adultery or sleep around with someone you are not married to. Pretty straightforward stuff that will keep us out of trouble if only we would follow them. Today's world wants nothing to do with the Ten Commandments. I remember the big controversy over them in the state capitol of Alabama a few years ago when a law was passed to make Judge Roy Moore remove them. Today people say there is no right or wrong, everything is relative. That is not what God says. His word never changes. Follow it to be wise.
The Ten Commandments are moral standards on which we should base our life. Evil forces who want to change our world see them as a threat. Isaiah 5:20 warns us "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." If a person does not follow God's word then 'anything goes'.
There is a right and wrong and it is found in God's word, the Bible. Read it to know the truth and the truth will set you free.(See John 8:32).Proverbs 2:20-22 says to us "Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it;but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it." In Proverbs 13:13 it says "The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded," Read it to be wise and it will guide your life.
PRAYER: Teach us Lord to number our days so we do not think there are not consequences to what we say and do. Each day is a gift from God. Help us not live with the attitude eat, drink and be merry. We know you are not saying do not have fun but help us Lord to learn to honor, respect and follow the Ten Commandments which are set forth to help guide our life and make our world a better place. In Jesus Name, Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment