Tag: 10 Commandments

You shall have no other gods

We assume this is an easy commandment to follow. It isn’t like we have high places in which we offer sacrifices to other mighty ones. Most people i know who would identify as Christian would even say that this is “one of the commandments that still applies in its entirety”. i was going to at this point look at other ways we as a community of Yahshua have inadvertently placed other gods before YWHW. However, as i have thought about this for some time and have already written part three of this series before parts 1 & 2. i have come to the conclusion that rather than talk about other ways we slip in unacceptable mighty ones it would be best to understand YWHW. More precisely, understanding the ways He desires us, as His creation, to worship Him.

Have you ever heard of the 5 love languages? There is a book out there and some quiz you can take to find out how you give and receive love. What the quiz reveals is your love languages. You might receive love through words of affirmation but express love by acts of kindness. Knowing this helps you and your spouse, if they are willing, to understand how to love you better, and how to better understand the way you love them in return. If you are both on the same page ideally you will begin to love them intentionally in ways they receive love and appreciate more the ways they are already showing you love, and vice versa. The only problem with this idea is that as humans we change and so does the way we receive love, express love, even appreciate love. We in short are fickle. This can also be exciting for couples who are truly committed to making things work, and a massive barrier for those that think love is the emotion rather than the act.

In regards to our relationship with YWHW our Elohim there is one vast difference. Although, understanding takes time, and because we are flawed, flesh driven, sinful, humans, the way we want to express love changes; His doesn’t. Our Elohim never changes. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our Elohim will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

“For I YWHW do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

“But the kindness of YWHW is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who revere Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.” Psalm 103:17

“Yahshua ha’Mashiah is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

This should make it completely clear, we ought to find out how YWHW wants us to love, honor, and yes worship Him, out of a desire to be faithful, pleasing, and even obedient in our love. When we begin to love Elohim in our own way, we begin to allow compromise into our relationship and it is at this point we are susceptible to worshiping other mighty ones, in layman’s terms, gods, even elevating our religion, traditions, and church community, above Elohim. In turn breaking the first, second, third, fourth, take your pick, tenth, commandment. We need to start asking the question, how does Our Heavenly Father desire us to love Him? And in turn begin to love that way.

“SO why do you keep calling Me ‘Adonai, Adonai!’ When you don’t do what I say?”

You are loved,

cj

Living for the Lord

“For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 1 Corinthians 7:19

For all that was taking place in Corinth at the time. For everything that Paul was addressing. i don’t think, although it appears a footnote, that his mentioning the commandments is a small matter. It wasn’t about ritual; it wasn’t about Abrahamic Covenant or Mosaic Law; it was instead a call to obedience to God through His commandments. Specifically, The Ten Commandments.

In the full context of what Paul was addressing, we find that he was qualifying the new believer. This is no small point either. However, you came into a relationship with Jesus, remain. If you were circumcised, then remain; if not, don’t seek it out. If slave, don’t concern yourself with freedom; if free, don’t seek to be enslaved by man. Instead, both should consider it a joy to be now a slave to Christ, obedient to the one who calls us out of the bondage of sin into a life made free in Christ Jesus.

Yet, one point in this, “but keeping the commandments of God.” What are the commandments of God? Here, specifically, The Ten Commandments. That’s right; Paul qualified his remarks by stating it should be our concern to follow the commandments of God. Paul didn’t seem to think it was too much for the new believer to find himself a slave to Christ and a subject to the Law of God.

1. Have no other Gods before me. (How might we put other gods before the Great I AM? Could it be in our traditions steeped in pagan practices?)

2. Do not Worship any graven image. (This one is a bit more speculative on my part, but could it be our adoration for electronics, or even perhaps the use of statues within Catholicism?)

3. Do Not Take the Lord’s name in Vain. (Beyond a curse word, this also implies the use of the Lord’s name to make a statement more impactful, “The Lord told me!” Be careful, my friends, on how you use the Lord’s name!)

4. Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy. (Certainly, this doesn’t mean any ol’day of the week. Clearly, a day was chosen. History reveals to us that Jesus observed the Sabbath, what we refer to as Saturday. It is clearly written here, to remember it and keep it Holy . . . yet so many dismiss this commandment with ease, why?)

5. Honor your father and mother. (This is more than a child being obedient, this is a grown child caring for his elderly parent. It goes far beyond simply obeying your parent as a kid under their roof).

6. Do not kill. (This is about cold-hearted murder, don’t confuse the issue with self-defense).

7. Do not commit adultery. (More than a physical relationship, this is also emotional, Jesus talks about adultery of the heart through the lust of the eyes, or inappropriate texts, etc.).

8. Do not steal. (When having a peaceful protest, it still isn’t ok to loot).

9. Do not bear false witness. (Beyond lying, this is also gossip that is based on rumor and not fact. Be careful what you say and of whom you say it).

10. Do not covet. (Be content. Live in the moment. Don’t concern yourself about how your neighbor lives; concern yourself with your relationship with the God of the Universe, one day, you will meet Him and receive either reward or condemnation).

You are loved,

cj