Ten Commandments . . . or One

I've often heard people make comments about how the laws of the Old Testament don't apply to those of us who are New Testament Christians. I don't profess to be an expert where this is concerned but through the blessed teachers that I've encountered I have had an opportunity to learn that not only do the Ten Commandment Laws apply to us but Christ Himself has given us direction that clearly sets the bar higher for us than did the Old Testament Laws.

For example . . . in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught that above and beyond the law that was established in the Ten Commandments regarding adultery, He set the bar higher and simply defined adultery as any lustfulness of the heart. YIKES - I have little need to wonder whether or not an overwhelming desire to please 'ME, MYSELF and I' might be along the lines of what Jesus had in mind.

Again, the Ten Commandments tell us not to murder and although the majority of us are quite confident that we wouldn't fall prey to breaking this law, Jesus sets the bar higher for us as He mentions that we are subject to the same judgement whether murder or everyday anger is our 'crime'.

Well, recently as I studied these truths I was lead by the Holy Spirit to God's Word written in Romans 13:8-10. There I found that Jesus took all the laws, seemingly packaged them up nicely and summed up all of our responsibility in one command . . . "love your neighbor as yourself". 1 John 4:16 tells us that "God is love" . . . so when we love we are an extension of God.
17) As we live in God our love becomes more perfect.
19) We love each other because He first loved us.
It's not a choice . . . in order to be Christ-like we must love our neighbor.
It's a command and therefore we must obey . . . love your neighbor as yourself. Does it come as any surprise to you that the breakdown of self-esteem is so important to the evil one? If we're unable to truly love ourselves then we're unable to follow the one command that brings all of us together.

From before the beginning of time God knew that we would be sinners . . . and yet He allowed each of us to exist. Isn't that the most amazing thought? He KNEW that we would allow 'things' to become idols to us. He KNEW that we'd take His name in vain. He KNEW that our covetousness would be never ending AND YET HE CREATED US NONETHELESS! It's all about love. It's all about Him. And when we finally get it right we'll know that our part was to obey His command and thus be blessed beyond what we could ever fathom!

Lord Jesus, thank You for the perfect plan. Like the song says . . . Your love still amazes me. Oh how I pray Lord that the love I have for my neighbor would mirror that which you posses for each of them. In Your loving name, Jesus, and with the help of Your Holy Spirit, I commit to obey the perfect commands that You and the Father established long before time began.
Amen and amen.
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