Exodus 20:12

This is the transitional commandment. It is considered part of the second table of the law, but it clearly stands between the two. This commandment talks about honoring authority and uses the most basic idea of authority in human life, that of parents. We are to give honor to all authority from God. Our parents, elders, bosses, government officials, and all those God has placed in authority are due the honor of their office and station.

Exodus 20:8-11

The Christian Sabbath is called the Lord’s Day in the New Testament. It is the practice of the church to worship on the day of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This also helps separate  Christians from the Jews. The idea of the Sabbath was not just a part of the ceremonial law. It is here in the Moral law and also as part of the creation mandate in Genesis. It is the day we are to Worship and the day we are to pull back from the busyness of all other days as much as we can to rest with God and His people.

Exodus 20:7

We are saved in the power of the Lord’s name. Acts 2:21 states that “… everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It is the name of the one who has made all things, controls all things, and has saved us as His people. This is why we should not say flippant things using the name of God. It should be a name that is respected and honored when it comes from our lips. Sometimes this commandment gets condensed down to just being against “G— D—“, but it is much more than just that one phrase. It is the totality of how we use the name of our Lord.

Exodus 20:4-6

The Second commandment deals with Worship. How does God want to be worshipped? This commandment specifically deals with the idea of images. This is why we do not worship God with pictures, statues, video clips and things that make a visible representation of God. He has clearly  told us not to do that. This commandment also sets down the principle that Worship is to be done according to what God has said He wants in worship. Worship is not for your entertainment. It is about us giving and directing our praise to God and hearing Him speak to us.

Exodus 20:3

The first commandment is an often over looked commandment. It is easy to see the practical implications of how we use God’s name or how we keep the Lord’s day. Yet, it is easy to miss the things that compete with our devotion to God. It is easy to make anything an idol and put it ahead of God in importance in your life. Even good things like families, jobs, and hobbies should never come before God in importance. He is to be first and everything else is second.

Exodus 20:1-2

This is the preface to the Ten Commandments and the introduction to the Law of God. God is reminding His people of who He is and what He has done. Before we look at the Ten Commandments it is important to remember who has spoken these things to us. It is our God who has saved us from our sin. These are not ideas or philosophies of men. These are the Commandments of our personal God and Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:15

Jesus is very clear that if we do not forgive others, then we are not forgiven.  Matthew 18:23-25 tells us the parable of the unforgiving servant who did not forgive his fellow servant for not paying him even though he had been forgiven for his even greater debt.  The unforgiving servant is thrown in jail by his master because the servant did not show mercy to another even though the master showed mercy on him.  How can we say that we can’t forgive someone, when God has forgiven us for so much more?  Matthew 6:15 shows that there is no forgiveness for the one who does not forgive because an unforgiving spirit bears witness to the fact that he never repented.  Being forgiven by Christ should change us.  We who willingly pray to be forgiven should also be just as willing to forgive.  Being forgiven and forgiving others are a package deal.  You cannot have one without the other.  Are you having a hard time forgiving others?  Remember how much you were forgiven, and have the same attitude as Christ did.