Why The 10 Commandments Still Matter

"Then God gave all the people these instructions;" Exodus 20:1

There has been a lot of debate over the past 10 years or so about the 10 Commandments. People are removing them from buildings where they've been for many years.Some people think because they are in the Bible they shouldn't be on government buildings or property. 

Then, you've got Christians who think the commandments don't matter anymore. It's the Old Testament and we live in the New Testament covenant. Which I agree with that.. however, I must confess, I was one of those types of Christians, to a point. I thought they were important, but done away with when Jesus came.

I knew that Jesus' death, burial and resurrection created a new covenant, and I knew that some of the commandments were still a big deal...but I didn't really grasp it all. Until this past weekend.

We had a guest speaker from California. Tim Bittle. I wrote a little about him and his wife yesterday. They are an amazing couple!

Anyway, Friday night, he talked about how we'd all broken the 10 Commandments. And, of course, most of us were thinking, "I've never killed anyone."

Well... stay tuned...

1. Jesus is supposed to be our first love - first in our affections and heart. We are called to love the Lord our God with all of her heart, mind and strength. But do we? Do you invest in God like you do other things?
2. No idols - a god is anything you create to serve YOUR agenda. People make idols out of their children, sports teams, anything that takes your time away from God.
3. Lord's name in vain- any time you've said it without giving Him honor. If you've never said it, how many movies have you given money to that have?
4. Sabbath - When you don't set aside time with God, you've broken this. Sabbath is going alone with God and resting.
5. Honor your parents - self explanatory
6. Do not murder - Matthew 5: 21-22 says this, "“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell." How do you kill someone when you are angry with them? The last thing you do is tell them about Christ. Hatred, anger and unforgiveness are murder in Jesus' book.
7. Adultery - Jesus told us that if you've lusted over someone, you've committed adultery in your heart. That is even if you are fantasizing about someone.
8. Do not steal - The value of the item does not matter. If you've ever downloaded music, called in sick when you weren't, things of that nature.
9. Do not lie - White lies, half truths, and what you allow people to believe are all wrong.
10. Do not covet - Being envious of someone's life or a purchase, or not tithing.

We've broken all 10! James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."

Romans Chapter 3 does a great job explaining how we are all sinners and we've all messed up. God knew we would. That's why He sent His Son to take our place and give us a life of fulfillment.

I am not trying to depress you here, what I want you to see is that God loves us anyway. Even when we mess up. And He knows we are going to mess up.

Jesus pretty much came to "1 up" the Commandments. He made them about our heart, because our heart is such a vital part of who we are.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Matthew 15:18 says, "But the things that come out of a person's mouth comes from their heart, and these defile them."

Will you decide today to follow Jesus and live the way He wants you to? He loves you. Nothing you can do will make Him love you any less... or nothing you've done in your past. He forgives. Fully, completely, and totally forgives... because He knows we will all break these commandments are some point.

They are still very important though. It's a way to live that keeps you in check and close to God.

I pray that if you are struggling in any area that you will seek the Lord and let Him help you. Talk to someone you trust and let them help as well.

I'm here to pray if you need me to.

God bless you today and always.