REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. ~ Exodus 20:7 NLT
The Third Commandment is focused on how we use God’s name. Sadly, in our modern culture, misusing God’s name is commonplace certainly by unbelievers but even by some believers.
In the Hebrew tradition a person’s name describes their character. When we casually use God’s name we are not respecting His nature and Who God is. Whether we’re taking an oath that we have no intention of keeping or more importantly doing evil in God’s name, we bring shame on God’s name.
When we misuse God’s name we are representing God as being worthless. Not only are we disrespecting God’s name, but we are making other people believe wrong ideas about God. We don’t know how the words we use affect those who hear them.
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. ~ Ephesians 4:29 NLT
How we use God’s name shows what we really believe about Him. If we show respect and honor to His name that shows the state of our faith and heart toward Him. We must remember God’s name is connected to Who God is as a person. It is also connected to His presence and power. We cannot separate God’s name from Who He is.
The Third Commandment deals with honoring God’s name but it also deals with how holy our language is and the use of profanity. Interestingly, the root of the word profanity means “to take out of the temple.” So when we use God’s name in profanity we are dishonoring God rather than worshiping Him. And with that dishonor comes judgement.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. ~ Matthew 12:35-37 NLT
Let’s commit our lips to Honoring God’s name with all our words!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the Third Commandment shows us the image of lips. Reminding us not to misuse God’s name with our words.
Take a few minutes to watch this short video from PragerU with Dennis Prager teaching on the third Commandment.
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.
“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for recovery from any addiction and therefore no true freedom!”
Then the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives and your father’s family. Go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make you famous. And you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you. I will place a curse on those who harm you. And all the people on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram left Haran as the Lord had told him. ~ Genesis 12:1-4
From the deserts of Haran, God found the man who would be the father of His people Israel, and ultimately the heir to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Even before the law was given to Moses, Abram faithfully obeyed the Word given to him. God’s grace saw Abram’s faith and counted it as righteousness.
Abraham believed when he stood in the presence of the God who gives life to dead people and calls into existence things that don’t even exist. When there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed… He didn’t doubt God’s promise out of a lack of faith. Instead, giving honor to God ⌞for the promise⌟, he became strong because of faithand was absolutely confident that God would do what he promised.That is why Abraham’s faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God. ~ Romans 4:17-18; 20-22
The story of the Old Testament Patriarchs is the story of a family that spanned two thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah. Through the rich heritage of these faithful people, God blessed obedient men and women whose lineage brought His son to the human race. (See Matt 1:1-17)
Because of their obedience to the call on their lives, Father God graced The Patriarchs of our faith with favor and blessings that provided the way for us to experience. the true freedom found only in Jesus Christ.
We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. ~ Romans 5:1-2
I pray you will be blessed with this anointed song by Cory Asbury.
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the third Friday of each month in 2022 we’re focusing our life recovery work on The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery: God’s Wisdom and Guidance for Your Journey with Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. This powerful study will take our life recovery to a level of freedom most of us haven’t yet experienced.
THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY
Each month we’re looking at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will fill our lives with love, gratitude and serenity. Each of the Twelve Laws of Life Recovery are aligned with one of the Twelve Steps of Life Recovery. As you go through the study you will see how they work together.
THE LAW OF CONNECTION
REQUIREMENT: connection
RESULT: love
Let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love…Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. ~ 1 John 4:7-8, 11-12
“If you fulfill the requirement of making healthy connections, you will find that your life is full of more love.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery
We all long to be loved
Even though we are all looking for love most of us don’t realize that to receive love requires making connections. For some, that’s too much work. Many people choose to live lonely, loveless lives rather than having to connect with other people.
unhealthy connections
Some of us grew up in homes where there was lots of rules and little emotional connection at all. Then there are those who are trapped in abusive relationships thinking that what they experience is love, when it is not love at all. What is the solution to both? God of course!
Transformed with Healthy Connections
We can transform our life by building deep healthy connections with other people. This may mean we have to forgive someone who has hurt us. Or it may require us to sever a toxic relationship. It may also mean reaching out to someone you wouldn’t normally be with. God may lead you to a group of people who will return the healthy connection of love to you.
Love God – Love People
And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law. ~ Mark 12:33
It’s important that we are intentional about deepening our connection with God. To do that we must first acknowledge God. Take time to listen. Meditate on God’s Word. Talk to Him through prayer. As we become more closely connected to God we will naturally share the love we’ve received with those around us. Then we will be more connected to them too.
The more love we experience, the deeper and more valuable our connections with God and with others will become. ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery
Take a few minutes and be blessed by Danny Gokey’s uplifting song.
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace. I hope you will get a copy of Andrew’s book and join me for this study. Today we highlight Chapter Three.
Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. ~ Romans 3:19-20
THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW
No matter who we are, religious or not, we are all guilty in God’s eyes. Our religion won’t bring us closer to God, but it does make us more accountable. Because we should know better than the person who hasn’t learned God’s standards.
WhO THE LAW IS FOR
In Romans Paul is writing to the Jewish Christians who thought that before the Gentiles (non Jews) could become believers in Christ they needed to convert to Judaism and observe the laws. But the law was not give to the Gentiles. It was given to the religious Jews only.
The Law Shuts every mouth
The law reveals our sin and how guilty we are before God. It shuts every mouth from comparing and making excuses. Fearing God’s wrath and our knowledge of sin might motivate us to stop sinning. But it can’t cleanse us from the sin or bring us forgiveness.
But God has a way to make people right with him without the law. And God has now shown us that way which the law and the prophets told us about. God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for all who believe in Christ, because all are the same. All people have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory. ~ Romans 3:21-23
The Law Points to Jesus
All the Old Testament Law and Prophets point to the Eternal One. The law was just a temporary way of dealing with the people’s sins until Jesus could come. The only way anyone can become righteous without the law is through Jesus. To be right with God apart from the law was a radical concept for the Jewish believers.
Under the Law we are All the same
With the law God’s raised the standard so high that no one could meet in in their own merit. This shows us our need for a Savior–Jesus Christ. We might follow the law well but it won’t effect our right standing with God. His holy and perfect righteousness can only come through Christ. None of us can measure up to Jesus!
So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. ~ Romans 3:28
Conclusion
Fearing God might encourage someone to stop sinful behavior. But it won’t clean the wrong motives in their heart. The law may get people’s attention but it doesn’t change our hearts. It is only God’s mercy and goodness that brings us to a place of real repentance and change for the right reasons. None of us can measure up to what Jesus has done for us. By faith in Christ we are made right with God not by obeying the law.
Be blessed with this excellent teaching video from Andrew Wommack.
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. ~ Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT)
For some it’s hard to imagine worshipping an idol like people did in Bible days. In reality, today we have lots of idols. Whether it is fame, money, pleasure, work or people… these can all become gods in our lives if we allow them to determine our meaning in life.
Find GOD’S purpose in this law
Among other reasons God’s laws are designed to protect us. What is God protecting us from? I believe He is trying to protect us from ourselves. Like little children, we think God is trying to keep us from having fun. When actually it’s the opposite.
Scripture tells us that sin is fun for a season. God knows how easily we’re deceived by the sparkling pleasures of this world. Faith in God, His laws and His love for us will help us see beyond the temporary thrills of this world to the true satisfaction of God’s eternal Kingdom.
find GOD’S grace in this law
Another purpose of the law is to show us our need to be made right before God. The law tried to teach the children of Israel rules for living that would help them live in right standing with God. But there is no one who can keep all the laws. That is why Jesus came… to complete the law and allow us to be made right in God’s eyes by grace.
The law is required to define our sins. When we know what our sins are, we will more easily recognize our need for faith in Jesus. That faith in Jesus will bring the gifts of salvation and grace. Therefore, faith and grace are also wrapped up in the law.
The Apostle Paul in Romans asks if we can now do away with the law because of our faith in Christ. He answers an emphatic, no. In fact, because of Jesus and His grace, the purpose of the law has been completed.
find GOD’S freedom in this law
There was a time in my life that I walked away from the Lord. I lost faith in God and God’s people. When I removed God from His place of honor I allowed myself to get caught up in wrong activities, people and behaviors. Overtime they gained a place of importance they didn’t deserve.
By taking God out of first place in my life, I removed myself from under His umbrella of protection. I set myself up for Satan to get a foothold in my life. When that happened I no longer walked in the freedom I had with God. I was now in bondage to the devil.
Like Eve in the Garden, this trap began with thoughts that doubted God’s love for me. Followed by my eyes looking at something I shouldn’t have been looking at. I might not have bowed down to an idol on my knees. But I certainly devoted too much time and money in pursuit of them. So much that they became the central focus of my thoughts and ultimately controlled my life.
If we can keep God holding first place in our lives we protect ourselves from Satan’s traps and other things from turning into idols. When we keep the first commandment it’s easier to keep the second. The more we keep God’s commandments, the free-er we will be. The law and grace bring us freedom!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the second commandment shows us the image of a person bowing down before burning incense. This reminds us that we should not bow down before anyone or anything but God!
Take a few minutes to watch this short video from PragerU with Dennis Prager teaching on the 2nd Commandment.
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.
“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for recovery from any addiction and therefore no true freedom!”
Then God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. God made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. ~ Genesis 2:8-9 (MSG)
God created people for relationship with Him. He wanted them to be free to live with and love Him. God gave people the ability and opportunity to make choices. We can obey and be rewarded with a happy life and relationship with God. Or we can disobey and suffer painful consequences personally and in our relationship with God.
The Law in the Garden
God commanded the Man, “You can eat from any tree in the garden, except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don’t eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you’re dead.”~ Genesis 2:15-17. (MSG)
Adam and Eve only had one law to follow. Pretty simple compared to Old Testament Biblical laws and our modern standards of law keeping. Among all of creation God gave only Adam and Eve the ability to think, reason, gain knowledge and make decisions using their knowledge. Most people aren’t content with what they have. We have an innate desire for knowing and experiencing life; whether that includes suffering or not. When given the choice, many will take the risk of knowing both sides of the good and evil. And so Eve took Satan’s bait and the human race has been suffering the consequences ever since.
Freedom in the Garden
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the land, and conquer it. Rule over the fish of the sea, the flying creatures of the sky, and over every animal that crawls on the land. I have just given you every green plant yielding seed that is on the surface of the whole land, and every tree, which has the fruit of a tree yielding seed. They are to be food for you. Also for every wild animal, every flying creature of the sky and every creature that crawls on the land which has life, every green plant is to be food.” So God saw everything that He made, and behold it was very good. ~ Genesis 1:28-30
Adam and Eve had freedom unlike any other humans have experienced. They had the freedom to walk and talk with God in their garden paradise home. They had the perfect life. But they didn’t know how perfect it was until it was gone. We often take for granted the goodness that God has bestowed on us.
Grace in the Garden
And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. ~ Genesis 3:21
Adam and Eve were created in the state of God’s amazing grace. With their incredible freedom came the ability choose between good and evil. And even when they disobeyed God and ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil He still loved them. They experienced God’s first act of grace, foreshadowing the future redemption of the human race, when He shed the blood of an animal and covered them with its skin.
Choose Life
I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. ~ Deuteronomy 30:19
God’s love is free and unconditional but His law, grace and freedom have conditions. In the same way there are unbreakable, unchangeable laws of nature and physics, God’s laws have set requirements and results that don’t change and can’t be broken without a consequence. Thankfully, Jesus came to save us from the consequences of our sin. However, it is up to us to make the right choice. Do we want life or death? Choose life!
Contemplate the choices available to you in Jesus as you enjoy this beautiful song by Kari Jobe.
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the third Friday of each month in 2022 we’re focusing our life recovery work on The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery: God’s Wisdom and Guidance for Your Journey with Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. This powerful study will take our life recovery to a level of freedom most of us haven’t yet experienced.
THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY
Each month we’ll look at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will fill our lives with love, gratitude and serenity. Each of the Twelve Laws of Life Recovery are aligned with one of the Twelve Steps of Life Recovery. As you go through the study you will see how they work together.
THE LAW OF HUMILITY
REQUIREMENT: humility
RESULT: honor
The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. ~ Proverbs 15:33
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. ~ Step Two
“God asks us to give up on our self-engineered crashes, admit that only He can restore us to sanity, and lay ourselves at His feet.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery
Powerlessness Leads to Humility
Having worked through Step One and its requirement of powerlessness, we’re in a better place to humble ourselves before God than when we were at the peek of our self-sufficiency and pride. To move forward in true humility requires us to look within and search for the root of our selfish motives.
When our self-delusions crumble we will see that God is the source of all things good in our lives. As we grow in the Lord and humility we begin to embrace our own successes. We’re able to look past our own pain and begin to recognize others around us.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. ~ James 4:10
“Choosing humility and recognizing our powerlessness are what it takes to stop all of our anti-recovery acts of futility. When we are able to truly humble ourselves before God, life starts to work again.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery
Graced With Honor
In obeying the Life Recovery Step Two law of humility we are graced by God with the result of being honored in some way. It may not look like what we might expect. But God always honors those who humbly obey Him.
Honored With Freedom
As we walk in humility with God, He gives us the courage, strength and wisdom we need to grow through each step of our journey. By the grace of God our worst is turned into His best. We’re able to honor in Him, live a life of freedom God intends for us and bring glory to His name.
Contemplate walking in humility with the Lord as you watch this beautiful music video. Be blessed.
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace. I hope you will get a copy of Andrew’s book and join me for this study. Today we highlight Chapter Two.
I refuse to be ashamed of the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first, and then people everywhere! ~ Romans 1:16 (TPT)
What is Salvation?
Salvation is everything that Jesus bought for us through His death, burial and resurrection. Grace brings the power of God to prosper, deliver from sin and heal everyone who has been born again.
And the prayer of faith will heal the sick and the Lord will raise them up, and if they have committed sins they will be forgiven. ~ James 5:15
What does Satan do?
Satan’s biggest weapon is deception. He wants us to believe that we have to earn God’s love by keeping the law and being more holy. The enemy wants us to operate in fear rather than faith in God’s love. We should focus on the goodness of God which draws hearts to change.
God has been very kind to you, and he has been patient with you. God has been waiting for you to change. But you think nothing of his kindness. Perhaps you do not understand that God is kind to you so that you will change your hearts and lives. ~ Romans 2:4
Without Excuse
Scripture tells us that we each have the intuitive knowledge of God against living an ungodly life built within us. And if that isn’t enough we can look to all creation around us and see the wonder working power of God in our world.
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. ~ Romans 1:20
Looking at all we’ve learned in this chapter from Grace: The Power of the Gospel we can truly say we are without excuse to know God!
Take some time to enjoy this excellent teaching video from Andrew Wommack.
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
Then God spoke all these words saying: “I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt and out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.” ~ Exodus 20:1-3
THE PREAMBLE
“I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt and out of the house of bondage.” ~ Exodus 20:2
The verse above is what Jewish teaching calls the first of ten statements. Whereas, Christian teaching considers it a preamble or introduction to the Ten Commandments. For the sake of our study, and to coincide with PragerU’s related video teaching which is attached at the bottom of this post, I’ve put the preamble and the first commandment together. In the preamble, God is introducing Himself to the children of Israel in terms which were very relevant to them. It’s also important to recognize that God introduced Himself to the people as their savior. He isn’t just some arbitrary god. He heard their cries for help. He cared for them personally and wanted them freed from the bondage of slavery.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS TWO SEGMENTS
Commandments 1 – 4 relate to the relationship between us and God in heaven. They primarily deal with doctrine and teach us our responsibility to God; how to love and honor God.
Commandments 6 – 10 relate to relationships we have with people on earth. These deal with ethics; teaching us our responsibility to other people; how to respect and love them.
If you were going to draw the two segments as an image: a vertical line would represent commandments 1 – 4. And a horizontal line would represent commandments 6 – 10.
Together they form a cross. This brings to mind Jesus’ words:
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”(Matt 5:17)
In other words, when Jesus came He completed the true purpose and meaning of what the Law was all about. Later Jesus goes on to say:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’ This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matt 22:37-40)
THE SUM OF ALL TEN COMMANDMENTS
By following the first four commandments we are loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind: The vertical line on the cross.
By following the sixth through the tenth commandments we are loving our neighbor as we love ourself: The horizontal line of the cross.
THE COVENANT
God is following the ancient form of making covenants or treaties; which the people at that time would have been familiar with. He is revealing His deity, power and care for the people by making a personal covenant with them. Every covenant prior to this was made between God and individuals: Adam, Noah and Abraham. In this covenant God is inviting the children of Israel into a formal relationship with Him. But this relationship has specific stipulations.
THE LAW
“You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.” ~ Exodus 20:3
When we liken our relationship with God to that of a married couple, it’s easier to grasp the concept of God being jealous. A husband or wife, in a healthy marriage, doesn’t want to share their spouse with another person. In the same way, God doesn’t want us to divide our affections which should only be directed to Him, not other gods.
In this first commandment, God is putting first things first; telling us that we must keep Him first above all. God may have enemies in this world. But He refuses to have rivals to Him in our lives. Because the Israelites had been living among the idol worshiping Egyptians for hundreds of years, they had grown indifferent in their relationship with the one true God. So it stands to reason that’s why God started His covenant with the children of Israel with this preamble and commandment.
THE LAW, GRACE AND FREEDOM
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. ~ James 1:25
It seems conflicting to say that the law sets us free. But by looking at ourselves through the reflecting mirror of the law and God’s Word we can recognize our sins that keep us from having a right relationship with God. While God’s Word brings us salvation and new life, it also requires that we be obedient to what it says. Because of the grace available to us through Jesus Christ we are now free from the control that sin once had on our lives.
We can obey God’s laws through the gift of grace and enjoy true freedom!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Sadly, too many of us today have no idea what the Ten Commandments are, much less follow them seriously, or teach them to the children. As this study progresses, I encourage you to begin putting the Ten Commandments to memory. I have supplied you with a wonderful tool to help you. Please check out The Evidence Bible Memory Aid attached under the resource list below. It’s a very easy and effective way to memorize the Ten Commandments.
The memory aid for the first commandment below shows us the image of a first place ribbon, reminding us that God should be number one in our life!
Video Disclaimer: As mentioned in The Preamble section above, the Jewish teaching is a little different than what most Christians have been taught regarding the first and second commandments. This is reflected in the first and second PragerU videos I include in each commandment teaching.
However, the entire video series, like all things on PragerU, is excellent. I will be attaching one of PragerU’s Ten Commandment videos to each of our Ten Commandment lessons which post on the first Friday of each month in 2022. Enjoy!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.
“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for recovery from any addiction and therefore no true freedom!”
As I shared in the RHW 2022 Preview I was contemplating the abounding lawlessness in our world when God pricked my heart with a reminder of the Ten Commandments. I then thought about how Jesus fulfilled that law and gave us the grace and freedom we believers can gratefully enjoy in our everyday lives. Immediately, I knew what I needed to focus on this year. And then this sentence came to me:
“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for recovery from any addiction and therefore no true freedom!”
What To Expect
In the Law/Grace/Freedom study series we’re going to dive into all of these topics and how they relate to each other and to us as Christians. We will go through biblical history and look at the relationship humanity has had with them and what has resulted. I’m no theologian, just a simple woman seeking to obey God’s good and perfect will to the best of her ability. However, I believe, without any doubt, that God is leading me this year more than any year before. These core topics are critical to the body of Christ today.
Spirit Led Study
My traditional approach to writing an RHW study series is to prepare a solid outline far in advance and follow it for the entire year. This study will be very different. I have prepared a loose outline of what I want to learn myself in regards to these topics. Otherwise, it will be the Holy Spirit’s guidance as to how this study proceeds. Should be an exciting and very interesting study!
Contemplate how the Holy Spirit will guide us in this life-changing study as you enjoy this beautiful song by Hillsong Young & Free.
RESOURCES
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Doctrine of Law & Grace Unfolded by John Bunyan
