Thursday, March 12

Exodus 20:1-17

In the Old Testament, the Commandments and other Laws and Rules were to be obeyed in order that a person would have God’s approval, acceptance and love. Today, Christians often say that they “believe” the Ten Commandments and live by them. Do you? Really?

What about: “Worship no god but me.” What are my priorities? Money, cars, houses, status, honors, my use of time, resources?

“You shall not kill.” Should we retaliate against a murderer in an “eye for an eye” as in “capital punishment”—he had is coming or she deserved it? If all people are “my neighbors” then how can I kill my neighbor in a war? There were three brothers in my family: one was a marine, one designed and made weapons, one affirmed the way on non-violence. Yet we cared but did no judge each other!

We know God loved and accepted each of us as a person of worth. Yes, it isn’t easy to love your neighbor and you r God, to follow in the Way of Jesus which goes beyond commandments and rules to trusting and relying on God, the Spirit within us.