By Jordan Vetro

While it is true that the Ten Commandments were given to people so far removed from our culture and these are different times, we must not, as Paul said, use grace as an excuse to sin and forget that God has still laid down rules. And even though many of us are sick of seeing these words on plaques and church walls, it is important to remember that in the Old Testament are rules that we may still apply to our lives, as well as reading them in the context of O.T. Times and peoples.

And God spoke all these words:

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of your sins and into a place of grace and salvation.

“You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not find television, money, alcohol, family, friends, theology, worship music, or anything on this earth more worthy of your time and devotion, more important to your life, than God

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

You shall not make the posters on your wall, the shirts you wear, move stars, singers, or anything on this world more worth your striving to emulate than your desire to be like and follow God.

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

You shall not think that sayings like “Oh my God” and “Jesus Christ” are innocent when they are a direct misuse of the name of God that must stay holy in the minds of His servants.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

You shall take a time in the week to rest and worship, most often Sundays, for spending time with God, growing in Him and praising him in the midst of your busy life, in meditation and worship.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

You shall not feel that the teenage rebellion is a regular part of life, but will honour and respect your parents decisions no matter how uncool they are.

“You shall not murder.

You shall not, as Christ said, hold anger against someone else, hatred, acts of evil such as murder, and even the common grudge are not right in the Kingdom of God.

“You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not lust are desire anyone apart from your spouse. Glances, derogatory comments, objectification, and oggeling are not right, though this simple sin is one that we find so hard to break free of.

“You shall not steal.

You shall not steal. Greed can lead us to small acts of stealing that we do not give that label, but we must keep ourselves removed from a desire for the possessions of the world.

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not gossip, making embellishments or assumptions about other peoples situations based on what you feel or think. You shall not abuse other people’s feelings to satisfy your need for juicy stories and seemingly innocent banter.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

You shall not complain that your life and situation are keeping you down, and if only I had this or that thing of the world, things would be better. You are equipped with all you need to share the gospel, counsel and aid from others are free, this is all we need here on earth. The social latter and big business bucks are not important to the Christian if they are not a part of our ministry. Getting stuff is not of God.

There is, however, one update I think we should add to these rules.

“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’
The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

I think Christ’s words speak for themselves. God bless you in your pursuit holiness, righteousness, and the imitation of Christ.