Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, I introduced the idea of grace with a diagram.  We will build on that now, so if you missed it, go back and watch Tuesday and Wednesday’s content.

You may be familiar with the Ten Commandments.  They are an important part of the tracks that God has created for our lives, the guidelines that keep us from self-destructing.

Where did they come from? They are over 3400 years old.  God led the Israelites out of danger and slavery, then gave the laws by which this newly freed people were to organize their life together.  Of all these laws, the Ten Commandments come first and take most important place.

In a few minutes, please watch the attached video to hear the commandments in detail.  But first we need to know purpose first, to understand the commandments in their proper place…lest you come away from this thinking that Christianity is all about following a bunch of rules.

A common misconception is to make “Obey God’s laws” #1 as if it could qualify you for a life of knowing God.  Sometimes Christians communicate the rules like they are number one, having forgotten how they came to know the God who helps them keep those commandments.  Knowing God qualifies you to try and follow these commandments…God is working in and through his followers to help transform their lives from the inside out.

This was certainly true for Israelites.  God, in his love for the Israelites, saved them from slavery in Egypt by parting the red sea.  Only once they were safely on the other side of the sea from the Egyptians did he give them the commandments, and call them to live by those commandments in thanks for the gift he’d given them.

The 10 commandments answer the question: “How can I live to thank the God who has loved me so much?”  Not how can I behave to earn God’s love, or avoid his hate.  Not how can I get others to live by my rules?

Take a quick run through these commandments.

The Commandments deal with two things:

  1. Relationship with God
  2. Relationship with One Another.

The last commandment is unique, since it talks about contentment.  This one may seem a bit different from the others, and it is.  The others focus on our outward actions, what to do and not do, while this one focuses on our hearts, what to want and desire, and what not to.

God is in the transformation business.  He not only wanted to see the Israelites as a transformed society, but also to see the minds of all his created human beings transformed in this way.

The Bible contains many other guidelines, principles and laws.  We don’t have time to go through them all here.  Life is complex, and there is not a specific rule for everything.   But these principles, the 10 commandments, or even just the 2 commandments to love god and neighbour, or the principle of grace behind them all, can apply to any area of life.  I am happy to help you interpret and apply if you have a specific question.

Watch the 10 Commandments here: https://vimeo.com/8439038

Challenge: Show grace to someone today.  Give them a gift they don’t deserve.

Reminder:  Last week we talked about worship, and asked you to complete our online survey about worship here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8TS7K93

Reminder: Earlier in this series, we saw the importance of reading the Bible together in sync, so our new daily bible readings start today in our mobile app and web site.

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - May 16, 2013

Thursday - Act On It - Forgiveness

You’ll be challenged to forgive today. Perhaps you bristle at the thought, and say, “no one can tell me when to forgive. I can hold a grudge if I want to.” I once knew a woman you shared a story with me about a past employer who was cruel and unkind. My friend became visibly agitated as she told the story, and said that to this day, she leaves parties and restaurants the moment her former employer arrives. I asked when this happened, and learned this person had been leaving parties and restaurants for 20 years! The worst part is, the cruel employer may have no idea this is happening. My friend thinks she is hurting her former employer, but she’s really hurting herself, by bowing out of parties! This is a vivid example of how forgiveness is not just about releasing those who hurt us, but it is a release for the person doing the forgiving as well. It allows us to step out of God’s role, and allow him to be God over us. That’s what being a Christian is supposed to be all about, and is why Jesus claimed forgiveness was so essential for his followers. If we do not forgive others, we are trying to be God – the ultimate judge – over them. Now, forgiveness is very hard, I will admit. It’s seen as impossible for many. But thankfully, we don’t have to muster the strength or resolve to forgive all on our own. Jesus has forgiven everyone for us. He went around earth forgiving people their sins, which seemed absurd, since he didn’t appear to have been wronged. But as God, he was wronged anytime one of his beloved children was wronged, and could forgive those sinners even when the wronged party could not. We forgive because God has forgiven us, and even if we can’t find the strength, forgiveness can be as simple as asking God to forgive them. The example of my friend who left parties because her enemy arrived is apt. God’s kingdom is described in the Bible as a party. Forgiveness can let us enjoy the party - God’s party. Don’t avoid the party, just to hold a grudge. Challenge: Consider someone who has hurt you. Forgive them today. Start by telling God you’ve forgiven them, or need him to forgive them. Then tell yourself they are forgiven, every day, if necessary. Then, if you can, and it’s safe, tell that person that they are forgiven. This is a process – it needs to be a daily practice sometimes. If forgiveness is something that needs to happen in your relationship, we have some great help on forgiveness in the Marriage Course. The forgiveness topic starts on Day 27.

Related Topics: Forgiveness | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

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