July 11, 2024
Ten Commandments -- Part 4
exodus 20:12-17
07/11/2024
12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days
may be long in the land that the LORD your God is
giving you.
13 You shall not murder.
14 You shall not commit adultery.
15 You shall not steal.
16 You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor.
17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you
shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male
servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his
donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.
(ESV)
This week we are looking at the Ten Commandments. God gave
us His Law for our benefit, so that we look to Him for our help
in times of trouble, and that we live in harmony with our
neighbors. We have already heard that we should fear, love, and
trust in God above all things. If we put Him first, we will
properly use His name and we will accept His gracious invitation
to join Him to receive His rich blessings of love, grace, and
mercy.
Knowing how we should act towards God, how do we act towards
our neighbor? God tells us to respect authority, to honor life
and marriage, to protect our neighbor's property and reputation,
and to be content with the blessings we have received from His
gracious hands.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may
be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving
you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit
adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear
false witness against your neighbor. You shall not
covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your
neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female
servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is
your neighbor's.
Therefore, the Ten Commandments are summarized as love
towards God and neighbor. If we look first to God for His rich
blessings, we can then reflect His love towards our family,
friends, and neighbors. This is a blessing to everyone, given by
God out of His mercy.
May our Lord guard us from all evil and guide us in His
love. Amen.