Gospel Journey

Commandments 7 & 8

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 commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14)

This one seems to be a little more black and white. You either are having sex with someone outside of marrige, or you aren't. But then Jesus raised the bar when He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;' but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28) Why would Jesus raise the bar so much? Why would even my thoughts make a difference? Take a look at Ephesians 5:22-33 and answer these questions:

1. What relationship should our marriage be an example of?
2. Why is purity so important to God?
3. If I am unfaithful in my relationship, what example does this send to the world about God?

Paul explains that the big deal about marriage is that it is a display of Christ's love for the church. God enters into a covenant relationship with us (that's why we know He can not leave or abandon us). I am to experience intimacy only inside the structure of a covenant relationship (marriage) to properly display God's character. He never did, nor will He ever cheat on me. Therefore, to even entertain lust in my heart displays a unfaithfulness that is contrary to the character of God.

You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15)

Many people consider this law to be one mostly constructed for social reasons. Imagine the chaos if we could just steal from one another without it being wrong. Take a look at Ephesians 4:28 and answer these questions:

1. How quickly should we cease the sin of stealing?
2. What should we do instead of stealing?
3. Why should we work?

God created us with work to do. Adam had duties in the garden before he sinned. When we desire to steal, instead of paying for something, we thwart the system God has placed. We show a lack of gratitude (sin) for what we have, and a laziness (sin) to keep from working toward it.

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 @ 10:07 AM