May 14, 2010

The 8th, 9th, and 10th Commandments
Deuteronomy 5:20-21 (NLT)

“You must not steal”

“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor”

“You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. You must not covet your neighbor’s house or land, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." Deuteronomy 5:20-21 (NLT)
Pastor’s Blog

The first four commandments are about loving God. The next six are about loving people. But the last one may be the most demanding of all.

Commandments 1-4 teach us how love God. Commandments 6-9 teach us how to love people. Commandment 5 pulls the first four and the next four together (honoring parents translates to honoring God).

And all the commandments are demonstrations of how God protects us and provides for us. For example, stealing and lying are ways to manipulate my world and my fellow man to get what I want rather than trusting God to provide what I really need.

But the 10th commandment? Well . . . . it’s a tough one! The first 9 commandments require actions. This one concerns motivation. Uh-oh. I can no longer get away with grudging outward, legalistic obedience. I’ve got to have a good attitude. I’ve got to be unselfish. I can’t let my motivations deteriorate into self interest. Jesus made this exact point in Matthew 5:21-48 in the sermon on the mount. He challenged motives. He gazes into our hearts. He says, you may never have stolen any material items, but if you’ve coveted them and lived in jealous and envy, squeezing gratitude out of your life, plotting ways to get that things you want, then you are in as much trouble (maybe even more so) than the one who actually stole something. If you’ve lusted, even though you’ve never physically or emotionally involved yourself with someone other than your spouse, then you’ve committed adultery, says Jesus.

I think the 10th commandment is really a wonderful gift. It cuts to the core of our being. It’s where we “live”. And, we can do something about it! I can simply confess it, ask God’s forgiveness, cleansing, healing and a fresh start with gratitude for all I do have now. Jesus best friend put it this way.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. “1 John 1:9 (NIV)


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