ARE YOU AWARE OF GOD’S GREATEST COMMANDMENT? IT IS NOT ABOUT SOMETHING TO AVOID IN YOUR LIFE, RATHER SOMETHING TO DO THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM THE HEART. YES, GOD'S GREATEST COMMANDMENT, IS TO LOVE…”

I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment, we’ll talk about the Great Commandment Jesus taught to those who follow Him…

… Everyone has heard about the TEN COMMANDMENTS in some way or another. It matters not if you are a Christian, a Jew or a follower of any other religious philosophy. The Ten Commandments are universal in knowledge to most peoples of the world. Yet, I must say how difficult it has been in these United States to understand the fierce hatred for them, as evidenced by our governing legislatures and judicial leaders. Why not long ago in the spring of 1997, a fierce battle erupted when the ALCU, the legal watchdog of the atheist movement in America, discovered that a southern judge, Justice Roy Moore, an outspoken Christian, kept a copy of the Ten Commandments on the wall of his courtroom. The judge was sued by the ACLU for the audacity of hanging it in his circuit court in Gadsden , Alabama . Well, the case wound through the courts and ended several years ago unresolved on legal technicalities. Thankfully though Judge Moore never wavered, and he kept them posted prominently on his courtroom wall.

Nonetheless the judge placed a stone monument at the Alabama State Courthouse with the Ten Commandments on it, and this was successfully ruled against by atheist judges to be unconstitutional and removed. Also, Judge Roy Moore was removed from the bench as well. Now this was not a lone incident, for some years ago the U.S. Supreme Court, ruled then by rogue liberal and anti-god justices, determined it was unconstitutional for the Ten Commandments to be displayed singularly in any public place! Since then, leaders in our public schools, and city and state governments have in rabid fashion torn down any and all representations that depicted the Ten Commandments for the public to see. 

However, again in June 1999, the Ten Commandments once again made the headlines when the U.S. legislature, in response to a rash of violent crimes and murders in public schools across the nation, thumbed its nose at the Supreme Court’s rulings, and passed a bill giving states the right to again display the Ten Commandments in schools and public buildings. Why did they do it? It was argued that the Commandments of God, found in Exodus 20, were “the foundation for our nation’s morals and values, and if displayed again would be a “moral compass” for the confused youth of our nation.” 

Well, what can we say about this? What value are these ancient rules of Israel ? Are we today to follow them? Or, are they something to put in a museum and ignore? Are they only for Christians to follow today? Well after another pause for a musical refreshment, we’ll study what Jesus had to say and how these commandments of God should be viewed by us today…

…As we look at the Ten Commandments today, let’s first look at what Jesus Christ had to say about them. He has commented on them and we read of His comments in,

Mat 22:37-38 (NIV)  "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment."

Can you imagine how God Himself interprets the Law of God called the Ten Commandments? God said that out of all Ten Commandments, the first one is the most important and greatest of all. Let’s read the first commandment as it is written to Israel in the Old Testament. We read of it in,

Exo 20:1-3 (NIV)  “And God spoke all these words…  3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”

 Can you imagine someone commanding love? However, that is the first commandment God gives to Israel and for that matter, all creation. We are to LOVE, and first of all we are to love the God who created us! Why is this? Permit me to suggest some considerations.

 We are to love because this is the greatest facet of our creation and being.  The Bible tells us that God is love,

1 John 4:8-11 (NIV)  “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

So we can easily see, that we are the “creative work” of a God who is LOVE! Therefore, our first response should be to,

 1.  Exercise this ability and facet of our being, toward the One who created us 

This, by the way, “is” Jesus’ interpretation and summation of the whole Law of God we call the Ten Commandments. Secondly, we are to love God because,

2. WHATEVER WE LOVE, WE SOON RESEMBLE AND WORSHIP  

Yes, indeed this is true. This is why God says that He is a Jealous God in the midst of His commandments as well as other passages. Listen,

Exo 20:5 (NIV)  "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…”

Exo 34:14 (NIV)  "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Now what exactly does the Bible mean by the fact that God is a “Jealous God?” Well, in researching this word in the Hebrew language and every usage surrounding God, the word “jealous” carries the idea of  “zeal, ardor and passion.” God, in this sense, is filled with zeal and passion towards those whom He created. In fact, the Bible says He created us specifically for Himself. We are therefore His prized possession!

Rev 4:11 (NIV)  “”You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.””

Yes friend, God loves His highest creation, you and me, so much, that He refuses to allow anything to come between Him and those whom He loves. This is called “jealousy.” Now we must realize that the word is not used in a negative sense or sinful way as we fallen human beings do.  God is jealous of and for the worship and love of His people. Now God doesn’t need our love, nor does He need our worship. In fact, He doesn’t need anything from us at all! However, the opposite is true - we need His love and companionship!  

Indeed, we were created for love and to love and have the unique ability to do so in the most gratifying and satisfying ways. God knows we need to worship and love, and therefore wants us not to fall into directing this central and controlling aspect of our humanity towards anything else. Why? Because it will ultimately draw us away from Him, and into harmful destructive paths. Hence, God gave this first and if we get the first commandment right -- all the others fall into place in their respective call upon mankind. Now let’s look at the Ten Commandments briefly and see what they say and how they are to be applied to us today.

In summation of the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20, (1) the first four commandments deal with our relationship with God, while (2) the last six deal with our relationship with others. However, all of them are based on the obedience, not of LAW, but of LOVE. Jeremiah the prophet captured for us the spirit of the Law of God for man. We read,

Jer 31:33 (NIV)  “”This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Notice what God said about His Law, and the ultimate relationship we were to have with it. It was to be written upon our hearts. Thus, the Law of God is not just for reading, or a wall decoration, nor was it designed as a miracle cure-all for the sins of a nation, nor was it ever a holy obligation in the purest sense of obedience. God is not pleased if we just obey His law, period. God gave the Law to reflect “the ways” in which we could love Him from “our hearts.” However, herein is the problem. If we could and would just love God and obey Him, and also love others and serve them, why everything would be hunky-dory, yes? Well I’m sorry the answer is no! Let’s review the Ten Commandments and see what they teach us that pleases God.

We discover in reading them in Exodus 20, that the Ten Commandments were divided by the Lord Jesus into two sections, one covering love to God and the other covering love to one’s neighbor (Matt. 22:37–40). So let’s begin…

In Exodus 20:1–3  The Bible teaches us God requires us to…

#1 Have no other gods or love before Him. 

This is a prohibition against the worship of many gods (polytheism) and against the worship of any other god, except Yahweh, be it a person, an image, or any “thing,” that commands our attention and time in devotion. The Second commandment is found in Exodus 20:4-6,

#2 We are not to create, use, worship or serve any carved image of God. 

This covered the manufacture of and worship of idols, and I think  includes pictures, images, and statues used in worship. It does not, however, include all pictures or statues, since the tabernacle contained carved cherubim. The commandment obviously refers to pictures or images of deity. They are not to be used in or for our worship of God who is Spirit. We cannot capture in earthly terms the great omnipresent God of eternity, so it is forbidden. Next we come to the revelation that God is a jealous God—that is, jealous of the worship and love of His people. We are told in the Bible, that God visits “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations.” 

How? Well we aren’t exactly sure, but it appears God means through things such as inherited weaknesses, poverty, diseases, and shortened lifespan, all  produced by sinful actions and living. But the Bible also says, “God’s mercy endures to thousands of generations of those who seek and love Him and keep His commandments,” from the heart. Now moving on we come to,

Exo 20:7 (NIV)  ""You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."

#3 God forbids the fraudulent use of His holy Name -  

This means to swear by God’s name something frivolous or untrue is serious sin. This includes the use of all profanity, cursing, minced oaths, or swearing to a promise and failing to fulfill it. God does not want His Name bandied about carelessly or abusively. Remember, it’s God’s right and choice. And, to break this commandment, is a sure promise from God of His wrath one day to come upon anyone who does. Next, we see in the commandments,

Exo 20:8-11 (NIV)  ""Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy... 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."

 #4 “God COMMANDS US TO Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” 

This is first mentioned in Genesis 2:1–3, but now the Sabbath was formally given to the nation of Israel for strict observance. It’s important here to note that, this was “only” to be a part of Israel’s observance, for nowhere in the New Testament are Christians or anyone else commanded to keep the Sabbath law of observing the 6th day of the week as belonging to God. This commandment was given to teach Israel that God was Master of them and that He wanted them to rest every seventh day and set it aside for remembering and loving God through worship. Although this is not a command for us today, the principle behind it still remains! God wants all those who love and follow Him, to set aside one day a week, to rest from daily labors, and to dedicate it to our Creator God in worship and service to Him. How sad so many followers of Christ have cast this aside, losing the concept of its good and holy purpose. Next, we come to,

Exo 20:12 (NIV)  ""Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

#5 HERE GOD COMMANDS US TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION to honorING OUR PARENTS   

Now to “honor” here means to obey, revere, and hold in highest esteem. The verse teaches that a life of obedience to parents is the start, and later in adulthood, is to be filled with honor and great respect. Do you honor and respect your parents? Do you call them, visit them, care for them and provide for their needs? God is vitally interested in you doing this, from a heart of love. Moving on we see the 6th Commandment,

Exo 20:13 (NIV)  ""You shall not murder."

#6 GOD FORBIDS US FROM THE PERSONAL INDISCRIMINATE TAKING OF LIFE 

Here the command is not to “murder,” for God does not use the word “kill” as some incorrectly do. This refers specifically to callous acts of individual murder and not to capital punishment, acts of defensive war or to manslaughter. The command teaches absolute respect for human life. That goes for “unborn life” as well as those who are living. Do you respect life, honor it, and guard it? All who do not, will one day be punished by God. Now we come to the most abused commandment in our world today, the seventh commandment,

Exo 20:14 (NIV)  ""You shall not commit adultery."

#7 GOD COMMANDS US NOT TO COMMIT SEXUAL IMMORALITY OF ANY KIND! 

In Exodus 20:14 this prohibition teaches respect for monogamous marriage, and warns against any physical exploiting another person’s body, for one’s own personal satisfaction. It also covers all forms of unlawful sexual behavior such as adultery, fornication, sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, and the manufacture and use of pornography, all of which is strongly forbidden and condemned in the Bible from cover to cover. Next is the 8th commandment,

Exo 20:15 (NIV)  ""You shall not steal."

#8 GOD FORBIDS THE THEFT OF ANYONE ELSE’S PERSONAL PROPERTY – 

In Exodus 20:15, this refers to any act by which a person wrongfully deprives another person of his or her property. God’s word teaches the right of private ownership by individuals of property or goods. Thus, it teaches respect for private property. Be it personal or governmental as well. Do you respect others property? Today there is no more conscience about this. For many it is OK to steal just as long as you are not caught, or because you are poor. Witness the grand theft and looting that took place in America , following Hurricane Katrina’s destruction in New Orleans , Louisiana . Many leaders publicly affirmed the right to steal I such cases, but God’s 8th commandant condemn it  Yes, God watches us to see if we honor His Word here. Now the last two commandments are,

Exo 20:16 (NIV)  ""You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

#9 GOD FORBIDS LYING AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS AGAINST OTHERS

This commandment clearly forbids damaging the character of another person by making false statements and causing them grief. It also teaches respect for a person’s reputation. Are you careful to guard that, or are you a gossip, talebearer, or one who delights to speak evil of others? God watches and hears all our conversations. 

Lastly, we see the 10th commandment that is found in,

Exo 20:17   ""Do not lust after your neighbor's house. Do not lust after your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns.""

#10 GOD FORBIDS LUSTING IN OUR MINDS FOR WHAT BELONGS TO OTHERS

This 10th Commandment passes from acts to thoughts, and it shows that it is sinful to “lust after” and desire anything and everything that God never intended you or me to have! So much today is based on a “lust for more and better,” that we as a nation are consumed by disobedience to this last commandment. We beg, borrow and steal to get what we lust for.

Now this was a very brief look at the Ten Commandments, but the question now is who is to obey them? Was it just for Israel ? Is it for all mankind? Is it only for the Christian today? Well the answer is found in the New Testament, for we discover that all of these Commandments are REPEATED for the believer in Christ to follow, except the fourth, “Remember the Sabbath Day.” That was strictly for Israel , but its principle remains. God is pleased when we “in love,” not “law” set aside one special day in our week, to worship and serve Him.

God gave us the Ten Commandments so that every generation would read them and know the depths of holiness God wants manifested in those who follow Him. God wants us to be like Him. We read in,

1 Pet 1:15-16 (NIV)  “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.””

Holiness means to be different from that which is common. We are sinners and the common thing for us is to love ourselves and anything that please us. However, when we turn from this attitude of self, to love what pleases God, then we become “holy.” The greatest thing that pleases God, Jesus said is,

Mat 22:37-38 (NIV) “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”

Now the highest way for obedience is your personal love for the Lord God who has revealed Himself as God the Son, Jesus Christ! Do you love Him? The Father in Heaven does!

Mat 3:17 (NASB)  “and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.””

1 John 3:23 (NIV)  “And this is [God’s] command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”

Have you embraced Christ in your heart? The Bible tells us we do this, when we receive Him as our Lord God and Savior from our sins. The greatest love has been shown to us as sinners under God’s wrath, for our disobedience to the first and greatest commandment. This is failure to love God with all our being as we were created for. But, God in love, stepped in to save us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to be our substitute and sacrifice for our sin penalty. Do you believe in and on Him? Have you accepted His death as a substitution for your impending sentence in Hell? God the Father will, if you accept His Son and receive Him as your God and Savior.

So then, the Ten Commandments in a sense are not for the “unsaved” world. They cannot and will not obey them, nor do they have any desire to. Displaying them on a wall is nice, but it will cause no one to stop sinning. However, writing them on our “hearts,” will! Therefore, what God wants the commandments to do, is first of all warn sinners they are not right with God because of disobedience. 

Secondly, it is to show the sinner that he or she can never keep these laws in and of themselves. We simply don’t have it in us. Thirdly, God wants us to flee to Him for the solution, and the Law can and will drive seekers to God, who reveals Christ to them, the One who kept all the Law perfectly as a man, and gave His perfect life as payment for our sins so we might go free. The words of Scripture aptly apply here,

John 3:16-17 (NASB)  “”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.”

May God give you a new heart to love Him, which alone comes from God. He is the source of all fulfillment of the Law, and satisfaction of its demands.  May you see clearly the cross as your answer to this dilemma and need. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen. 

---

·         Radio talk #4205

·         Broadcast date: October 16, 2005

·         Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

·         Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast

·         Address: P.O. Box 60033 Grand Junction, CO 81506

---

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 25 years, and serves as General Director.

* These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual audio radio messages on CD's, and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also.

---

Want to Help?

If you've been blessed and encouraged by these messages, you can help keep them on the Internet. Below is a secure link to PayPal, a way to donate through the Internet to this Christian Radio Broadcast. We are a faith ministry depending totally upon the love gifts of friends like you. Please consider a donation today of any amount. Or you can use the snail mail address at bottom left to write to us. God bless you.

---

* DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ - By printing, downloading, or using you agree to our full terms. Review the full terms at the following URL: http://www.wwy.org/disclaimer.htm. Below is a summary of some of the terms. If you do not agree to the full terms, do not use our information. We only publish the talks of Dennis L. Finnan, who does not claim to be an author but a compiler of related information. Such information may have errors or in time be outdated. Some information is from historical, spiritual and biblical sources or represents opinions of the author. It is for edification and research purposes only. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages. We are not liable for any consequential, incidental, indirect, or special damages. You indemnify the World, the Word & You! and Dennis L. Finnan for all claims caused by you and your use of these articles.

Visit us at our radio website:  www.wwy.org