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QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, AND MORE QUESTIONS

SECTION 4 - The Ten Commandments

      WE also need to understand precisely, what does the Lord say to us in His law--in the Ten Commandments?
      Gregg, to begin this portion, we ask--how are these commandments divided? Our answer here is, into two tables.
      The first has four Commandments, teaching us what our relation to God should be.
      The second has six commandments, teaching us what our relation to our neighbor should be.

      Now God spoke all these words, saying:

      The First Commandment
      I AM the LORD your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

      Now what does the Lord require of us in this first commandment?
      First, that we, not wanting to endanger our very salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, magic, superstitious rites, and any prayers to any other creatures.
      Second, that we all sincerely acknowledge the only true God, trust Him alone, look to Him for every good thing humbly and patiently, love Him, fear Him, and honor Him with all of our hearts.
In short, we must always be willing to give up anything rather than go against His will in any way.
      It will also be helpful for us here, if we define--what is idolatry?
Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God: The One only true God who has revealed Himself to us in His Holy Word.


      The Second Commandment
      You shall not make for yourself any graven image in the form or likeness of anything that is in Heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down yourselves to them nor worship them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and forth generation of those who hate me. But showing love and mercy to thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

      What then is God's will for us in the second commandment?
Gregg, God's will in this commandment is that we in no way make any image of God nor worship Him in any other way than those which He has commanded for us in His Word.
      We ask then, can we not make any image at all?                                      God Himself cannot and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one's intention is to worship them or to attempt to worship or serve God through them.
      The problem that I see Gregg, is that we human creatures have a natural tendency to seek out things to worship. I guess those tendencies are just a part of our human nature. Whenever something, human or non-human, is approached in a worshipful way; Kneeling, or bowing before that object--then, at times, even kissing that object, that is a form of worship and would violate this second command. This statement is not intended as a criticism of other denominations, but just stating the perceived facts.
      But may not images be permitted in the churches as teaching aids for the unlearned?
      No, this is not a good idea. We should not try to be wiser than God is. God wants His people instructed by the lively preaching of His living Word--not by idols or forms that cannot even speak.


      The Third Commandment
      You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vane, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

      Now what is God's will for us in this third commandment?
God's will is that we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths. In a word, it requires that we use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe, so that we may properly confess Him, pray to Him, and praise Him in everything we do and say.
      Is blasphemy of God's name by swearing and cursing really such a sin that God is angry also with those who do not do all they can to prevent it? Yes, indeed.
      No sin is greater, and no sin makes God angrier than blaspheming His name. That is why, in the Old Testament times, He commanded the death penalty for this grievous sin.
      Simply put, Christians are not to blaspheme the name of God. I also believe, that when it comes to the people of God, God is just as interested in their actions. It was after His rebuke for their hypocrisy, that God cautions His people against this transgression in Rom.2:24--"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Nations because of you..." Because of the open transgressions in your lives the Nations blaspheme My name. Because you treat Me with disrespect, the Nations do the same. Gregg, it is when we openly transgress the law that we truly dishonor God.
      May we swear an oath in God's name if we do it reverently?
Yes! When the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God's glory and our neighbor's good. Such oaths are approved in God's Word and were rightly used by Old and New Testament believers. But you must be very careful Gregg when you take an oath before God, that you make sure that you keep it.
      Then, may we swear by other creatures? No!
Gregg, a legitimate oath means calling upon God as the one who knows my heart to witness to my truth-fulness and to punish me if I swear falsely. No creature or human is worthy of such honor.


      The Forth Commandment
      Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. For six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son nor your daughter, nor your manservant nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor the stranger that is within your gate. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is within them, and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

      Let us now examine--just what is God's will for us in this fourth commandment?
      First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained. And that, especially on the festive day of rest, we regularly attend the assembling together of God's people to learn what God's Word teaches. And there, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for God's work and for the poor.
      Second, that every day of our lives we rest from our evil ways, letting the Lord work in us through His Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath.


      The Fifth Commandment
      Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

      We must fully inquire--what is God's will for us here in the fifth commandment?

      Gregg, it is that we honor, love, and be loyal to our father and our mother. Additionally, all those in authority over us--that we obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish us. Also that we be patient with their failings--for through them God chooses to rule us.


      The Sixth Commandment
      You shall not murder.

      Then what is God's will for us here in the sixth commandment?
      Gregg, we are not to belittle, insult, hate, or kill our neighbor. Not by our thoughts, our words, our look or gesture, and certainly not by our actual deeds. Nor are we to be party to this in others, but rather, we are to put away all desire for revenge. We are not to harm or recklessly endanger ourselves either. The prevention of murder is also why the government is so armed with the sword. God put them in place to maintain a form of order within our society.
      Now does this commandment refer only to killing?
By forbidding murder God teaches us that He hates the root of murder: revenge, envy, hatred, anger, and vindictiveness. In God's sight all of these things are equal to murder.
      We ask, is it enough then that we do not kill our neighbor in any such way? And the answer here is simply no. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger, God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We should always be patient, peace loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly to them. We must try to protect them from harm as much as we can. And here is the hardest part Gregg, we are to do good even toward our enemies.


      The Seventh Commandment
      You shall not commit adultery.
      Then what is God's will for us in this seventh commandment?
      Gregg, we must always remember that God condemns all immorality. We should therefore thoroughly detest it and, married or single, live decent and morally pure lives.
      But does God, in this commandment, forbid only such disgraceful sins as adultery?
      Gregg, we are now temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why He forbids everything that incites immorality; whether it be actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires--and anything else that we may have missed mentioning here.


      The Eight Commandment
      You shall not steal.

      What does God actually forbid in the eighth commandment?
      Gregg, He forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law. But in God's sight, theft also includes cheating and swindling our neighbor by schemes made to appear legitimate: Such as inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means that is forbidden by God. Additionally, He forbids all greed and pointless squandering of His gifts. Gregg, God would have all of us use the many gifts He has given us to further His Kingdom on towards its glorious completion.
      And what more does God require of us in this Commandment?
      That we do whatever we can for our neighbor's good, that we treat others as we would like them to treat us, and that we work diligently so that we may be able to share God's gifts with those in need.


      The Ninth Commandment
      You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

      So now, what is God's will for us here in the ninth Commandment?
      Gregg, God's will is that we never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one's words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone without a fair hearing or without a just cause. Rather, in court and everywhere else, we should avoid lying and deceit of every kind. Gregg, these are devices that the devil him-self uses, and they could call down God's intense anger on us.
      We should do what we can to guard and advance our neighbor's good name.
      Gregg, we should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it.


      The Tenth Commandment
      You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.

      Now finally, what is God's will for us here in the tenth commandment?
      Gregg, God's will is that not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any one of His commandments should ever arise in our hearts. Rather, with all of our heart, we should always hate sin and take pleasure in whatever is right.
      Gregg if our hearts are fully fixed upon Jesus, then our desires will be directed more and more toward the heavenly things. And Gregg, the things of the world are the very things that are tempting to all of us, and the use of some restraint on our part is absolutely essential. We must learn to quickly evaluate every situation that confronts us: And only after you do that Gregg, can you make an intelligent decision.
 

      But we ask again, can those converted to God obey these commandments perfectly?
      You know the answer Gregg; the answer to this is an emphatic no! At least, not as long as we are in this physical body. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience.

      Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose we do begin to live, not according to only some of God's commands, but we strive to live according to all of them.

      Gregg, if no one in this life can obey the Ten Commandments perfectly, why then does God want them preached so pointedly?
      First, so that the longer we live the more we may come to know and understand our own sinful nature. And so, the more eagerly we will look to Christ for the forgiveness of all of our sins. And then progressively receiving, within ourselves, His righteousness.
      Second, so that, while praying to God for the grace of His Holy Spirit, we may never stop striving to be renewed more and more after God's image. That is, at least until after this physical life is over--when we will reach our final goal Gregg--that bodily resurrection to perfection.