The Ten Commandments (not suggestions)

I read this note on Sharon Arasu's facebook and I knew that this was just the most basic Christian Living principles that I try my best to follow everyday. I hope it's as good a reflection for you as it was for me.

Exodus 20:1-17 lists the Ten Commandments which were authored by God and given to Moses on Mount Sinai.

As Christians, the Ten Commandments (found in the Old Testament) form the moral foundation of our belief; the "rules" of our religion, if you like. They are (in plain English):

(the first 3 govern our relationship with God)

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself and idol.
2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord, your God.
3. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

(the next 5 govern our relationship with others/humanity)

4. Honour your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

(the last 2 govern our private thoughts)

9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour.

Jesus simplified these commandments into two simple rules:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets." - Matthew 22:34-40

Now that's what I call dumbing things down!!

And yet, a lot of us struggle to keep these commandments (saying "it's too hard") and often think it's ok to pick and choose which of the commandments we will honour, and which we will ignore, on the pretext that it "doesn't apply" to today's circumstances (since the Commandments were handed down eons ago!).

In the New International Version (NIV) bible, Exodus 20:1 says "And God spoke all these words"; in the King James Version , the same verse says: "And God spake all these words"; and in the New American Bible, it says: "Then God delivered all these commandments",

Where does it say in the bible that the Ten Commandments are a suggestion??

So, keeping that in mind, please join me over the next few weeks as we spend some time breaking down each commandment into simple and practical actions for everyday living.

You'll need to check out Sharon's facebook for the details in the coming weeks. I'm just putting this here as an overview. Bear in mind, little changes in our lives will make a BIG difference! God Bless you all!