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The Ten Commandments
living by His royal law of love (Ezekiel 33:11; James 2:8). When a woman was caught in adultery and brought before Jesus, He did not condone her sin. But neither did He condemn her. He simply told her, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). David tells us that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8). The apostle John explained that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Should we take other steps, then, to alter the course of our behavior? God’s Word offers this advice: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” (Psalm 119:911). People of all ages should heed these words. Simple regret for what we have done isn’t enough. God wants us to diligently study His Word to learn His rules of life. Then, when we sincerely begin turning our lives around, God promises that “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). Genuine repentance followed by the acceptance of the forgiveness of God is an integral part of our spiritual development.
Stability in marriage Companionship is one of the greatest blessings we can gain from a stable and loving marriage. God recognized this when he created us. “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him’” (Genesis 2:18). “Two are better than one, for their partnership yields this advantage: if one falls, the other can help his companion up again; but woe betide the solitary person who when down has no partner to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, REB). Most of us need the support and companionship of a loving spouse. We need someone special who can share our ups and downs, triumphs and failures. No one can fill this role like a mate who shares with us a deep love and commitment. Society suffers because we have lost the vision that God had for marriage from the beginning. Marriage is not a requirement for success in pleasing God. But it is a tremendous blessing to couples who treat each other as God intended. Most people desire and need the benefits that come from a stable marriage. To return to what God intended, we must give marriage the respect it deserves. We must faithfully obey our Creator’s commandment “You shall not commit adultery”! (To learn more, request or download our free booklet Marriage and Family: The Missing Dimension.)
Practice Giving Rather Than Getting
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The Eighth Commandment
Practice Giving Rather Than Getting “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).
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he Eighth Commandment, which forbids theft, calls our attention to two opposite ways of thinking and living. An approach that emphasizes getting rather than giving wins all contests for popularity. But the giving approach epitomizes God’s love for others. Theft is the ultimate assertion of the greedy, lustful way of life—one that emphasizes acquiring material and intangible things with no regard for the rights and feelings of others. It scorns conventions and boundaries established by society and God. It is the epitome of selfishness. The spiritual intent of the commandment against stealing tells us where the battle against selfishness begins. It originates when we learn to appreciate the rights and needs of others.
The right to own property The Eighth Commandment safeguards everyone’s right to legitimately acquire and own property (within the overall understanding that God maintains overall ownership of the entire universe and everything in it). God wants the right of people to have private property honored and protected. His approach to our having material wealth is balanced. He wants us to prosper and enjoy physical blessings (3 John 1:2). He also expects us to show wisdom in how we use what He provides us. But He does not want possessions to be our primary pursuit in life (Matthew 6:25-33). When we see material blessings in proper context as a means to achieve more important objectives, God enjoys seeing us prosper. To Him it is important that generosity rather than greed motivate the choices we make. Because giving and serving are qualities of His own character, God asks that we, from the heart, put these ahead of lavishing possessions on ourselves.
God loves cheerful givers Jesus addressed this approach when He spoke of assisting the less