ODB:Under God

Eat, Our Daily Bread | June 14, 2011 12:03 am

June 14, 2011 


Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed. —Psalm 119:5-6

 

READ: Mark 2:23-28 

This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. —1 John 5:3 

Every parent knows the difference between rules designed primarily for the benefit of the parent and those designed for the benefit of the child. God’s rules fall into the latter category. As Creator of the human race, God knows how human society will work best.

I began to look at the Ten Commandments in this light—as rules designed primarily for our benefit. Jesus underscored this principle when He said, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).

The Bible is a most realistic book. It assumes human beings will be tempted to lust after a neighbor or covet someone else’s property, to work too hard, to strike out in anger at those who wrong them. It assumes humanity will bring disorder to whatever we touch. Each of the Ten Commandments offers a shield of protection against that disorder. We have the freedom to say no to our sinful inclinations. By doing so, we avoid certain harm.

Taken together, the Ten Commandments weave life on this planet into a more meaningful and structured whole, the benefit of which is to allow us to live as a peaceful, healthy community under God.

— Philip Yancey

Source: Our Daily Bread

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2 Comments

  1. Alex Lim Charisian says:

    These 10 commandments and more in the Old Testament are also used as a means to establish a relationship between God and man. It is not to be taken lightly even though it is given to us with good intention. I am not, therefore, saying that these laws are to obey blindly or taken it cold. Rather they are given for our good and that of our neighbours besides our relationship with God who cares. Precisely it is our sinful nature that we find them hard to keep. May our good Lord help us and change our hearts to accept His law willingly and diligently.

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  2. ellieroo says:

    the only problem with this and stuff from the OT is that we dont live under law anymore we live under GRACE Jesus came and gave us a new covenant first Love God and second love Everyone Galatians 3:1-29 the law was put in place until Jesus came verse 10 says all who rely on works of the law are cursed

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