Commandments

Jan

2024

Do Not Add or Take Away

Deuteronomy 4:2 “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.”

As Moses prepared the Israelites to enter the Promised Land without him, he charged them strongly to uphold every command God had given.

They must neither add to nor take away from God’s decrees, but fully obey all He instructed.

We are called to treasure Scripture as the authoritative, sufficient Word of the Lord. Not one jot or tittle can be altered without shaking the foundations of our faith.

Our preferences and agendas mean nothing next to the eternal precepts of God. We must prize all Scripture as His loving voice speaking into our lives. What right have we to tamper with the Almighty’s decrees?

Rejecting Human Traditions

Adding to God’s Word often takes the form of elevating human traditions and teachings to divine status.

When we insist on man-made rules as prerequisites for holiness and acceptance, we usurp the sufficiency of Scripture.

Rather than binding others with burdens beyond biblical mandate, we do well to focus on personally applying God’s commands with humility. His yoke alone brings rest.

Beware proposals of “new” revelation that contradicts the old. God’s Word is complete; nothing needs added. We must test all teachings by the Scriptures.

Embracing All of God’s Word

On the other hand, subtracting from Scripture happens when we dismiss, downplay, or deny parts we dislike or consider outdated. But we don’t get to pick and choose what we want from God’s Word while ignoring the rest.

A desire to be seen as “enlightened” and progressive does not justify rejecting biblical truths that make us uncomfortable. Our calling is to conform to God’s Word, not vice versa.

Loving God means obeying all His commands, not just the convenient, culturally acceptable ones. We must embrace Scripture in its fullness.

Standing on the Word

Storm winds of compromise, distraction and direct attack, batter followers of Christ. If our foundation is not firmly planted on Scripture alone, we will certainly fall.

By God’s grace, tenaciously defend and obey His complete Word revealed in the Bible. No additions, no subtractions.

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Oct

2023

Law and the Gift of Grace

In Galatians 3:10, we encounter a profound truth about the human condition and our relationship with God.

“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'”

Burden of the Law

This verse begins by addressing the burden of the law. It reminds us that if we rely solely on our ability to keep every commandment and requirement of the law, we find ourselves under a curse.

The law sets such a high standard that we, as imperfect beings, cannot attain on our own.

Curse of Imperfection

The verse draws from the Old Testament, where it is written that “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

This underscores the reality of our imperfection and the futility of trying to earn our way into God’s favor through law-keeping alone.

Gift of Grace

However, the beauty of the gospel lies in the contrast it presents. While the law reveals our shortcomings, it also points us to the gift of grace through Christ.

It is through faith in Jesus that we find redemption from the curse of the law. Christ’s perfect sacrifice becomes our righteousness, and grace becomes the path to salvation.

Embracing Grace

As you reflect on Galatians 3:10, let it remind you of the incredible gift of grace.

You are no longer bound by the curse of trying to earn your salvation through your own efforts. Instead, you are invited to embrace the grace of Christ, which covers your imperfections and leads you into a relationship with God based on faith and love.

Receive this grace with gratitude and live your life as a response to the boundless love of your Savior.

May

2019

The Problem with the Ten Commandments

We are living in a day and age where politically correct folks view the 10 Commandments of the Bible as being obsolete. It is very common for those in authority today, to be habitually breaking these commandments, and receiving no punishment whatsoever for their wrongdoings.

What is wrong with the 10 Commandments anyway? I mean, most people would rather be, told the truth, than be lied to. Most married couples prefer that their spouse remain faithful them, and when it comes to stealing, the majority of us do not want to be robbed.

We prefer that our neighbors tell the truth about us, and not make up false stories about our lives. In addition, what is wrong with honoring your father and mother?

We could go on and on through the Commandments, and most would agree that they are beneficial.

Why the big ruckus over the 10 Commandments?
Why take them off the walls of our schools, and government buildings?

Many would have you believe it all has to do with the separation of church and state. The real reason our society is trying so hard to rid themselves of the 10 Commandments, hearkens right back to the first and greatest Commandment.

When Jesus was asked which Commandment is the greatest, he replied:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.”

The real problem is right here, with the first Commandment. The first Commandment causes us to deal directly with God. Here, right at the beginning, we are, commanded to love God.

Many in today’s world simply refuse to believe God exists, therefore, any mention about Him, or His so called commandments, must be disregarded and tossed out.

If we are to believe these Commandments to have value, we must believe and practice the first Commandment too, and for an increasing number of Americans, that is going too far!

What about you?
Do you still believe in the 10 Commandments?

If you said yes, then how are you doing with the first one!