Every day that we get in a car and drive to work, school, church, the store, or anywhere else, we follow countless rules without even noticing. We respond, almost instinctively, to the “rules of the road.”
We drive on the correct side of the road. We hit the brakes when we see a stop sign or red light. We are careful to go the right way on a one-way street. We merge when the sign tells us to merge. On a relatively short trip, a driver will make a hundred decisions based on the sings on the road and the rules they represent.
Following these simple driving instructions is not a recipe for ruining our trip or the joy of the open road. It is a way to make sure we stay alive! These rules protect us, direct us, and keep us (and others on the road) safe. Without them, a one-mile drive across town would be dangerous, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening.
The Ten Commandments are the basic “rules of the road” for how people are to relate to God and each other (Exodus 20:1 – 17; The Story, pgs. 61 – 62). Think of how our lives and faith would improve if we followed these commands (in action and in spirit). Think of some ways to embrace and follow these commands more fully.
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, pages 37 and 39.
1. What do the Ten Commandments reveal about the nature of God and His desire to have a relationship with us?
2. Moses said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (p. 48). How does the fear of God restrain sin?
3. God describes Himself as jealous. What does this tell us about God? Why is it okay for God to be jealous?
4. God promised that his presence would be with the people and they would stand out in the world because of it. This is still true today. What are some ways Christians should stand out in our world?
Both the Old and New Testament words for jealousy are also translated “zeal.” Being jealous and being zealous are essentially the same thing in the Bible. God is zealous—eager about protecting what is precious to Him. God’s name is the epitome of who and what He is, and He says His name is Jealous. Jealousy is not merely a passing mood with God. It is the essence of His person. He must zealously desire exclusive devotion and worship. To do less would make Him less than God. He said about Himself: "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images" (Isaiah 42:8). This is why God told the Israelites not to marry those in the regions they would travel thru and live in; He knew they worshiped idols and the Israelites would follow the belief's of their spouses.
A person who fears God will refrain from doing the things that would be displeasing to Him, the things that would make himself unworthy of God's love. Fear of God does not make men shrink from Him as one would from a tyrant; it draws them nearer to Him and fills them with reverential awe. The fear of the Lord is an attitude of respect toward God, which includes a healthy dread of displeasing Him. The fear of the Lord is about reverence toward God, respect for Him, love and appreciation, holding Him and His beloved Son in high esteem. And this is the attitude necessary in order for us to know and do what's right! If I want to know and do what's right before God; if I want to learn to make ethical and moral decisions to please God - this attitude must find residence in my heart: The fear of the Lord.
The 10 Commandments were condensed when Jesus said in Matthew 22: 34-40 "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, 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.” Therefore, our relationship with God and each other is in this simple command that we call the "Golden Rule."
ReplyDeletePoint to Ponder…
Every day that we get in a car and drive to work, school, church, the store, or anywhere else, we follow countless rules without even noticing. We respond, almost instinctively, to the “rules of the road.”
We drive on the correct side of the road. We hit the brakes when we see a stop sign or red light. We are careful to go the right way on a one-way street. We merge when the sign tells us to merge. On a relatively short trip, a driver will make a hundred decisions based on the sings on the road and the rules they represent.
Following these simple driving instructions is not a recipe for ruining our trip or the joy of the open road. It is a way to make sure we stay alive! These rules protect us, direct us, and keep us (and others on the road) safe. Without them, a one-mile drive across town would be dangerous, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening.
The Ten Commandments are the basic “rules of the road” for how people are to relate to God and each other (Exodus 20:1 – 17; The Story, pgs. 61 – 62). Think of how our lives and faith would improve if we followed these commands (in action and in spirit). Think of some ways to embrace and follow these commands more fully.
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, pages 37 and 39.
ReplyDeleteQuestions to Consider…
1. What do the Ten Commandments reveal about the nature of God and His desire to have a relationship with us?
2. Moses said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (p. 48). How does the fear of God restrain sin?
3. God describes Himself as jealous. What does this tell us about God? Why is it okay for God to be jealous?
4. God promised that his presence would be with the people and they would stand out in the world because of it. This is still true today. What are some ways Christians should stand out in our world?
Both the Old and New Testament words for jealousy are also translated “zeal.” Being jealous and being zealous are essentially the same thing in the Bible. God is zealous—eager about protecting what is precious to Him. God’s name is the epitome of who and what He is, and He says His name is Jealous. Jealousy is not merely a passing mood with God. It is the essence of His person. He must zealously desire exclusive devotion and worship. To do less would make Him less than God. He said about Himself: "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images" (Isaiah 42:8).
ReplyDeleteThis is why God told the Israelites not to marry those in the regions they would travel thru and live in; He knew they worshiped idols and the Israelites would follow the belief's of their spouses.
A person who fears God will refrain from doing the things that would be displeasing to Him, the things that would make himself unworthy of God's love. Fear of God does not make men shrink from Him as one would from a tyrant; it draws them nearer to Him and fills them with reverential awe. The fear of the Lord is an attitude of respect toward God, which includes a healthy dread of displeasing Him. The fear of the Lord is about reverence toward God, respect for Him, love and appreciation, holding Him and His beloved Son in high esteem. And this is the attitude necessary in order for us to know and do what's right! If I want to know and do what's right before God; if I want to learn to make ethical and moral decisions to please God - this attitude must find residence in my heart: The fear of the Lord.
The 10 Commandments were condensed when Jesus said in Matthew 22: 34-40 "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, 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.” Therefore, our relationship with God and each other is in this simple command that we call the "Golden Rule."