Rather than try to produce some kind of essay on this subject, I've decided to post my thoughts as they come. So for starters, the first commandment reads: I AM the LORD your GOD who brought you up out of Egypt. You shall not have any gods before me. This commandment is further explained in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, NIV): Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Two points:
1) The FIRST and foremost commandment is to put God FIRST. We worship him corporately on the FIRST day of the week and we bring the FIRST fruits of our substance.
2) No one can serve two masters. We are bombarded by idols that want our attention, our allegiance, our worship. The most demanding of all is our own ego that wants to be the center of our lives. As I was thinking about this today, it dawned on me that the way to clear away idols is to focus on loving the Lord.
God is God and I am not.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
IS THE LAW OF LOVE ALL WE NEED?
I'm still getting used to blogging so I think I may have put my second post in the wrong place. Therefore, I am reposting it here.
Is the Law of Love all we need?
In the words of the Beatles: "All We Need is Love." But how is LOVE defined? In the past, I've heard dozens and dozens of sermons telling me that I don't need to pay attention to the 10 Commandments...that they have been replaced by the one new commandment given by Jesus, "Love one another." I've been told that the God of the OT was vengeful, strict, punishing—but that the NT shows his softer (feminine??) side. However, within all 39 books of the OT we see God as kind, merciful, full of lovingkindness to both the just and the unjust. We see his wrath and anger levied against SIN. Throughout the OT pages we see the unfolding of his plan to send his Son who would drink the cup of his wrath against all sin for all time. This same God is the one who carved the Decalogue in stone as the explanation of how to walk in love.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
My conviction is that a better understanding of the Decalogue will help us understand what it really means to carry out the law of love. Seeing the 10 Commandments as the guidance for loving God and loving neighbor—might it be possible to bring law and order back to ourselves, our churches, and our land?
So, Church...that's the challenge...but how do we flesh it out? Let's consider the meaning of each of the commandments. Next up: The First Commandment
In the words of the Beatles: "All We Need is Love." But how is LOVE defined? In the past, I've heard dozens and dozens of sermons telling me that I don't need to pay attention to the 10 Commandments...that they have been replaced by the one new commandment given by Jesus, "Love one another." I've been told that the God of the OT was vengeful, strict, punishing—but that the NT shows his softer (feminine??) side. However, within all 39 books of the OT we see God as kind, merciful, full of lovingkindness to both the just and the unjust. We see his wrath and anger levied against SIN. Throughout the OT pages we see the unfolding of his plan to send his Son who would drink the cup of his wrath against all sin for all time. This same God is the one who carved the Decalogue in stone as the explanation of how to walk in love.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
My conviction is that a better understanding of the Decalogue will help us understand what it really means to carry out the law of love. Seeing the 10 Commandments as the guidance for loving God and loving neighbor—might it be possible to bring law and order back to ourselves, our churches, and our land?
So, Church...that's the challenge...but how do we flesh it out? Let's consider the meaning of each of the commandments. Next up: The First Commandment
Friday, April 23, 2010
Welcome to the Decalogue Blog
Welcome to the Decalogue Blog! Many people have decried the removal of the Ten Commandments from federal buildings and the like, however, my bigger concern is for the way many churches have sidelined it. Our society has become more lawless than I've ever observed in my lifetime. Could it be that the Church is guilty, also?
Therefore, I long to see an in-depth study of each of the commandments and their broad implications being taught in churches throughout the nation. Along with spreading the gospel, I believe the Ten Commandments are a major key to reviving and reforming America.
As an FYI, my background includes a wide variety of theological persuasions though I have been influenced primarily by my Evangelical/Charismatic/Reformed background. I see strengths and weaknesses in all. Over time, I plan to blog on the commandments, one at a time, and trust they will be a source of unity.
To kick off this conversation, here are some of my thoughts: 1) Many regard God's Law as antithetical to his grace. However, if we consider the opposite of law to be lawlessness (antinomianism), perhaps we can revive an understanding of the difference between right and wrong. 2) Grace saves us; obedience to God's Law sanctifies us. 3) We need to distinguish between being lawful and being legalistic.
I look forward to your input! God bless you!
Therefore, I long to see an in-depth study of each of the commandments and their broad implications being taught in churches throughout the nation. Along with spreading the gospel, I believe the Ten Commandments are a major key to reviving and reforming America.
As an FYI, my background includes a wide variety of theological persuasions though I have been influenced primarily by my Evangelical/Charismatic/Reformed background. I see strengths and weaknesses in all. Over time, I plan to blog on the commandments, one at a time, and trust they will be a source of unity.
To kick off this conversation, here are some of my thoughts: 1) Many regard God's Law as antithetical to his grace. However, if we consider the opposite of law to be lawlessness (antinomianism), perhaps we can revive an understanding of the difference between right and wrong. 2) Grace saves us; obedience to God's Law sanctifies us. 3) We need to distinguish between being lawful and being legalistic.
I look forward to your input! God bless you!
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