Don't Be Stupid
Theme of the Week: Liberating Commandments
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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Key Bible Verse: "'Oh that they would always have hearts like this, and obey all my commands!'" Deuteronomy 5:29. Bonus Reading: Deuteronomy 5:7-21
Why is God so down on everything we do?" BBC Radio's Drive Time show host demanded. "Don't do this and that. Don't commit adultery. It's pathetic!"
I interrupted with a question. "Does the Bible really say, 'Don't commit adultery?'"
"Yes, it does," she bristled.
"I've never read that bit."
"You know that it's one of the Ten Commandments."
"Oh, now I get it. Your tone of voice threw me off."
"What do you mean?"
"God does say we must not commit adultery, but not the way you said it. Before giving the Decalogue, God introduced himself to Israel as one who's for them. He didn't just outlaw the things humans like to do to spoil our fun. Rather he knows the heartache we'll cause ourselves and others if we pursue agendas opposed to the way he made us to be. The Ten Commandments is God saying, 'Look, I love you. I'm the best deal you've got going for you. Don't abandon me. Don't commit adultery because if you do, it'll unleash destructive powers that will slowly destroy you and your society. Trust me.'"
"No one ever explained it to me like that," the host said quietly. "That makes so much sense."
—Steve Chalke in The Lost Message of Jesus
My Response: I'll re-read each commandment to note how it protects and frees me.
Thought to Apply: The Ten Commandments, like an operator's manual from the factory, are fundamental to proper operation and maintenance.—Richard Halverson
Adapted from The Lost Message of Jesus (Zondervan, 2003) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Help me, Lord, to experience the freedom of living within the confines of Your precepts.
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