Living by God's Perfect Law: Understanding the Ten Commandments
Introduction:
Today, we turn our hearts to a familiar yet profound portion of Scripture—the Ten Commandments. These timeless commands form the foundation of God's law, given to His people to guide them in their relationship with Him and with each other. Yet, the Ten Commandments are not simply a list of dos and don’ts. They reveal God's character and His desire for His people to reflect holiness, love, and righteousness in their lives. Our focus today will be on Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21, where God first gave the Ten Commandments, and we'll also look at how Jesus summarises them in Matthew 22:37-40.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts as we explore God’s perfect law and how it still speaks to us today.
Point 1: The First Four Commandments – Loving God
The Ten Commandments are often divided into two categories: the first four commandments deal with our relationship with God, and the remaining six with our relationship with others. Let’s begin with the first four commandments, which teach us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Exodus 20:2-3 (NLT): “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.”
This first commandment lays the foundation. God declares that He is the one true God, and no other gods are to compete for our devotion. In Hebrew, the word "gods" here is “elohim,” which can refer to false gods or idols. It reminds us that God demands exclusive worship. Our loyalty must be to Him alone.
Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT): “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind… You must not bow down to them or worship them…”
Here, God prohibits the making of images or idols to represent Him. The Hebrew word for idol, “pesel,” refers to carved images. This command challenges us to reject any physical representation of God, as well as any modern "idols" that steal our devotion—money, power, status, etc.
Exodus 20:7 (NLT): “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”
Misusing God's name, in Hebrew “nasa” (to take or lift up), means to use it falsely, irreverently, or disrespectfully. God’s name represents His character, and we are called to honour it in all we do, avoiding vain or careless usage.
Exodus 20:8-10 (NLT): “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.”
The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, but it also speaks to us today about the importance of rest and worship. The word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew “shabbat,” meaning to cease or rest. It points us to God as the Creator and reminds us that we are dependent on Him.
When Jesus summarised the first four commandments, He said in Matthew 22:37 (NLT): “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’” Our primary calling is to love God above all else. These commandments call us to prioritise our relationship with Him, to worship Him rightly, and to honour His holy name.
As theologian John Piper once said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” When our love for God is genuine, obedience follows naturally, and God is glorified in our lives.
Point 2: The Last Six Commandments – Loving Our Neighbour
The next six commandments deal with our relationships with others, teaching us how to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Exodus 20:12 (NLT): “Honour your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
The Hebrew word for "honour" is “kabad,” meaning to give weight to or respect. This command speaks to the importance of family and the responsibility to care for our parents, not just in childhood but throughout life.
Exodus 20:13 (NLT): “You must not murder.”
The Hebrew word for "murder" here is “ratsach,” which refers to the unlawful killing of another. Jesus expanded on this in Matthew 5:21-22, teaching that even anger toward someone makes us subject to judgment. Life is sacred because it is God-given, and we are called to value and protect it.
Exodus 20:14 (NLT): “You must not commit adultery.”
This command guards the sanctity of marriage. In Hebrew, "adultery" is “na'aph,” referring to infidelity in marriage. Jesus again expands on this in Matthew 5:27-28, saying that even lust in our hearts is a form of adultery. This command speaks to the need for purity in thought and deed, protecting the covenant of marriage.
Exodus 20:15 (NLT): “You must not steal.”
Stealing, or “ganab” in Hebrew, involves taking what does not belong to you. This command teaches us to respect the property and rights of others.
Exodus 20:16 (NLT): “You must not testify falsely against your neighbour.”
Truthfulness is essential in God’s eyes. This command calls us to integrity in all our relationships, rejecting lies, slander, and gossip.
Exodus 20:17 (NLT): “You must not covet… anything else that belongs to your neighbour.”
To covet, “chamad” in Hebrew, means to desire something intensely. This command addresses the heart, teaching us to be content with what we have and to trust God’s provision.
Jesus summarised these six commands by saying in Matthew 22:39 (NLT): “‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” True love for others involves honouring them, valuing their lives, respecting their marriages and property, speaking truth, and rejecting envy.
John Stott once said, “Love for neighbour is the irreducible minimum of the law of God.” In loving others, we fulfil the law, as Paul teaches in Romans 13:9-10 (NLT): “These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfils the requirements of God’s law.”
Conclusion and Call to Action:
The Ten Commandments are not just a list of rules—they are the heartbeat of God’s law, revealing His holiness and His desire for us to live in right relationship with Him and with others. Jesus, in Matthew 22, summarises the law in two great commands: to love God and to love our neighbour. These two principles encapsulate the entire law.
Today, I encourage you to reflect on these commands. Are you loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Are you loving your neighbour as yourself? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you may be falling short, and allow His grace to transform you.
Call to Action:
This week, take time to meditate on each of the Ten Commandments. Examine your heart and actions in light of them. As you do, ask God to help you live in a way that honours Him and reflects His love to those around you.
Let’s commit to living by God’s perfect law—not out of obligation, but out of love for Him and for others.
Let us pray.
