Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments.
In Matthew 5: 17 Jesus tells us, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I've not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
When Jesus fulfilled the letter of all the Law, it included these Ten Commandments. Now we are not bound to do the very letter of each of these Commandments, but we are to obey the spirit of love that they are all based on. This goes much further than the mere letter of each law, much deeper.
For instance, not only are we to not commit adultery, but we are to love them and not even look upon another with lust. Not only are we to "do no murder," we are to love them and not even think ill of our neighbor, which is anyone and everyone in the World.
Even the Sabbath is not a specific day (the letter), but the principle of loving ourselves in taking a day off each week because it restores our own health and well-being, as well as loving God in remembering He is our Creator.
Jesus told us, In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12). This is loving others as we love ourselves.
Matthew also tells us: An expert in the Law tested Him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:15-40). The whole body of all the laws, rules, commandments, regulations, precepts, orders, and decrees are all based on Love: our love for God, for ourselves, and for others.
So if we really love God, our love will constrain us to do what would be loving, and keep us from doing, saying, or even thinking something that would not be loving. This means that we will not be down on ourselves, because God values us greatly. We will not think ill of any other person, because he or she is our neighbor.
And we will consider our God to be the greatest, most wonderful and amazing Being Who ever was, is, or will ever be. He is good to the extreme, everything He does comes from the Love He is and has for all He has made.
Even what we would consider negative or even cruel, still comes from Love, in giving sentient beings the consequences of their own free choices, this freedom having been given in order that they might choose wisely instead of foolishly.
We see His love in being patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance, before the Day of the Lord comes as a thief [when] the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the Earth and everything in it will be burned up (II Peter 2:9-10).
Anyone who waits for that will be too late, the die will be cast, and their eternity will already be set. God has already waited over two thousand years since Jesus died, rose, and ascended back into Heaven. How much longer do you think He will wait? All the signs He gave for the End are present in our World right now.
Hebrews 3: 15 tells us, Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts...
And II Corinthians 6: 2 says, ...I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of Salvation.
How much better to respond to His call today, because every tomorrow is uncertain. We have only right now when we can choose. Let's all choose our God, before our power of choice is over.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
