The Ten Commandments

(3 Minute Read. 30Sep2020)

Are you troubled about what you have been hearing in the news? Americans of all political persuasions are unhappy with the state of affairs in the country for a variety of different and conflicting reasons.

What can resolve the problems humans have living together? Innumerable laws, statutes, ordinances, and regulations have been enacted. But all these rules have not solved the basic problem of human sin started by Adam.

Is there a solution?

Yes, there is a solution.

The long-term solution begins with the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth and will be completed by His return to earth known as the Second Coming.

But is there a short-term solution for use until Jesus returns?

I believe there is. The Ten Commandments.

If the Ten Commandments were generally obeyed, most legislation would be unnecessary, and most social and political problems would disappear.

As examples, consider these violations of some of the Ten Commandments, and imagine how much better things would be if the Commandment were obeyed.

Sixth Commandment:
You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
Every day about 3,000 unborn babies are murdered inside their mothers’ wombs — the same as the number of Americans killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. One of the two major political parties and roughly half the political candidates in the country strongly support the killing of these innocent children. This is evil and a violation of the Sixth Commandment. If this Commandment were observed, a major source of national controversy and contention would be eliminated.

Seventh Commandment:
You shall not commit adultery.
(Exodus 20:14)
The overthrow of this commandment with the “sexual revolution” of the 1960s has unleashed a cascade of disaster: innumerable broken hearts, betrayed and shattered families, a million abortions yearly, out-of-wedlock births, divorce, absentee fathers, sexual perversions, over 100 million people with STDs. The Great Creator gave this Seventh Commandment for the protection and benefit of His people. His pattern, initiated with Adam and Eve, is one woman for one man for life. We have reaped tragic consequences by violating it.

Eighth Commandment:
You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
Theft is one of the most common reasons for police arrests. Obeying the Eighth Commandment by stopping robbery and looting would partially reduce the need for police and save public funds.

Ninth Commandment:
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Exodus 20:16)
This commandment may be violated more than any other. Lies are more common than truth in most fields including the worlds of entertainment, politics, media, and government. The one thing that can conquer lies is Truth.

Tenth Commandment:
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s. (Exodus 20:17)
How much sin and crime is generated by envy and covetousness? This commandment is sort of a summary commandment. Instead of focusing on outward actions, it focuses on inner thoughts which lead to outward actions. Keeping the Tenth Commandment makes it easier to keep the other commandments. In a 1948 speech in Perth, Scotland, Winston Churchill said, “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.” The drive toward socialism in America is driven by an appeal to envy, directly contrary to the Tenth Commandment. Adhering to the Tenth Commandment would eliminate all the political arguments and battles over socialist policies.

If the Ten Commandments are too much to digest, consider Jesus’ summary in the Two Great Commandments:
And Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Jesus gave an even more concise summary in what has come to be known as the Golden Rule:
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

Obeying the Ten Commandments or the Two Great Commandments or the Golden Rule would tremendously improve the life of all mankind, both individually and collectively. These are “instruction manuals” from the Great Creator who made man and built His image into man. He knows what is best for man.

Questions to Ponder

1. Which of the Ten Commandments have been broken by everybody?
2. Which of the Ten Commandments is most challenging for you to keep?

Share your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. It could encourage or help another reader.

For Christ and His Kingdom. Soli Deo Gloria. Alere Flammam Veritatis.

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©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith”
“destroying speculations against the knowledge of God”
“for the defense of the gospel”
(Jude 1:3; 2 Cor 10:5; Phil 1:16)
Wednesday September 30, 2020 A.D.

The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. (Psalm 119:160)

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