God's Greatest Commandments

God gave us His commandments so that we can live just and holy and have good relationships with others. He promised blessings for people that obey His commandments. The Law was given to help people check their lives and guard against behaviours that can bring judgement and punishment. Everyone is a suspect under the law because the law is not adequate to purify the heart, remove evil thoughts and wicked desires. It is through Christ believers' hearts are purged of sin to live rightly for God and secure His salvation. Ephesians 24:7- He (Moses) took the book of the covenant and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said we will do, and be obedience. The followings are discussed: Israel Commanded to Love God; Israel Commanded to love others, and Israel Promises Obedience to God

Israel Commanded to Love God: The ten commandments instruct people to please God and have good relationship with others. God commanded people to know and worship no other gods except Him. He revealed Himself as the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing and the Only True God people must serve (Exodus 20:1-7). Worship of objects or images of any form is against His commandments, therefore it is wrong for believers to ascribe divine power to any objects. God is Spirit and we must worship Him in Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

God's name must not be misused; His name must not be used to bear false witnesses and make promises that we do not intend to keep. Jesus summarized how we can apply the ten commandments and live to please God (Matthew 22:36-40). God also reminded people of the need to rest as He rested after six days of work. He commanded that a day should be set apart to rest, worship and serve Him (Exodus 20:8-11). By doing this we recognise Him as sovereign God, Our Creator, Our Master and Our Lord.

Israel Commanded to love Others: God wants people to love themselves if they truly love and serve Him. He commanded children to honour their parents so that they can receive the blessing of long life and prosperity (Exodus 20:12). Such honour is demonstrated By care, respect, compassion and love shown to them; it must also be given to those who took care of us from the beginning. The remaining commandments focus on relationship with others: friends, family members, neighbours, coworkers, strangers and even the enemies (Exodus 20:13-17).

God commanded that people shall not kill, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet. He is the giver of life and the One that has the right to take it, man must not kill others because of malice, hatred or careless behaviours. God's commands prohibit all manners of wrongdoings toward others. Those doing contrary to His commands are not His people.

Israel Promises Obedience to God: The people were expected to follow all commands of God and remain focused on spiritual priorities for good of their nation. Moses built an alter and made sacrifices which involved sprinkling of the blood for forgiveness of sins and to affirm God's covenant (Exodus 24:3-6).

Today Christians have received the ultimate blessing of being made the people of God through Christ's supreme sacrifice; his blood of covenant has since replaced the old practice of sacrificing and shedding blood of animals for forgiveness of sin. God made Christ the Only sacrifice required for forgiveness and removal of sins, purification of hearts and Salvation of all souls.

Christians are no longer under the bondage of Law because Christ has made them free from its obligations. This doesn't mean the laws are no longer relevant, God wants His Law written in our hearts and demands that we turn the right attitudes (Romans 2:14-15; Hebrews 10:11-15). Obedience to God's commands is no longer a matter of code, it is of conscience. It requires fundamental moral concepts and righteous living God requires of His people.

Just as Israelites reaffirmed their obedience to God's commands in the Book of Covenant after blood was applied to the altar (Exodus 24:7-8 ), Christians are to respond positively to Christ's sacrifice and act in obedience to the NEW TESTAMENT (Mark 14:24; 1 Corinthians: 11:25; Hebrews 9:20). Lesson texts: Exodus 20:1-7; 24:3-8.