Gospel Journey

Commandments 3 & 4

Welcome to the GOSPEL JOURNEY. This week we'll be working through the sentence: Sin cannot be paid for by good works. For this week's devotionals, we'll tackle two of the commandments each day. These posts are to help you engage with the central message of the Bible. Comment. Question. Agree. Disagree. Either way, let us know what you think.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

From early childhood we've recited, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." Why can't God hold to the same standard? Consider Job 2:7-10 and answer these questions:

1. What made Job's wife suggest cursing God?
2. What reason did Job give for not doing what she said?
3. When we use God's name lightly, what does that reveal about our heart?

Jesus told the disciples that their mouths revealed the nature of their hearts. When we use God's name flipantly, or worse still, as a replacement for a cuss word, we are showing we have contempt for God in our heart.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)

This is another confusing commandment. Why does God care if I rest or not? Take a look at Hebrews 4 and answer these questions:

1. What is the sabbath designed to represent?
2. What event changed the need for a sabbath?
3. If a person rejects the concept of rest, what are they really saying?

The sabbath is a difficult issue to understand. This passage explains to us that it represents our own striving instead of trusting God. I need to take a break at times to remind myself that it is not I who makes all things happen. It reminds me of my need to trust, and rest in God. Do you approach all situations with an attitude of dependance upon God? Or, do you depend more on yourself?

If you stood before God, just based on these two commandments, could you claim you were righteous in His sight? Apart from Christ, none of us can.

posted by danny2 @ 11:17 AM