Governance by the Book - Entry #6 - Taking A Clearer Look at the Ten Commandments

Previously Published October 9, 2010

Proverbs 1:29-2:1-5 says:

Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Unfortunately, as things currently stand, Proverbs 24:30-34 more accurately describes where we are today:
That proverb says,

I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the wall was in ruins.

I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest---and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

So, in response to our condition, my prayer today is Psalm 79:9-13

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name's ake.

Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"

Before our eyes, make known among the nations that You avenge the outpoured blood of Your servants.

May the groans of the prisoners come before You; by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to die.

Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at You, O Lord.

Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will praise You forever; from generation to generation we will recount Your praise.

And, please protect all of our troops that are in harm's way.
On this side of the Cross we pray in the Name of Christ Jesus!
AMEN!

Saints, as you are no doubt aware by now, it is my contention that the sovereignty of our nation rests squarely upon our right recognition of the God of the Holy Bible as Sovereign of the universe. Without right recognition of Jesus Christ among His professed followers, there is no assurance that Truth or justice will prevail within corridors of power.

In the absence of right acknowledgment of the God of Holy Bible, we cease to operate in our right mind as a nation. What emerges on the airway, in the large metropolis, and in the hamlet, is just so much empty chatter, especially as people judge themselves and others by themselves.

Socio-political voices would have us limit our review of the candidates for the upcoming elections to that of the economic landscape—an ownership realm that is suggestive for sure. But, please don't miss the BIG PICTURE HERE. Saints, understand this! Any relevance economic indicators have in our selection processes should have import only because of God. It is not humanity but God Himself that grants ability to make wealth. Nor, should we fall into the trap of thinking that the accumilation of wealth is somehow to be seen as a solid indicator of "right" relationship with God. The fact is that the enemy of our souls can be permitted to lavish wealth in our direction accompanied by "leanness of soul" as a judgment from God. No, Saints, ours is a narrow road that requires relationship with Jesus Christ to maintain right bearings independent of circumstance.

It is also important to remember that the God of the Bible has given His people a much higher standard by which to discern appropriate action. That guidance by the Holy Spirit is cultivated by the reading of HIS Word, the Holy Bible.

What makes our current condition even more precarious is the fact that as a nation we have a history of making money off of broken systems. Here is what I mean.

Sin generates spending beyond our means as persons and as institutions. That which is not of God drives the search for purchasables and services as a means of shoring up or otherwise distracting our attention from our true state. Purchase to "improve quality of life" desensitizes us as a population to the fact that we are trying to live this life without God. As I mentioned in an earlier entry, Sin costs! And, the money we personally and collectively spend beyond our real needs is used to miminize the short-term discomforts associated with our distance from God.

God has a different plan for His people. His Word says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty." Liberty costs,too, but not in money but in covenant commitment.

Saints, the question is, "Are we really willing to pay the cost?"

It costs to believe and act differently from what we all have been accustomed to. This is true for us personally, but also collectively as a nation. We already know much of what God would have us do personally, which really does include giving Him the first fruits of everything (time and money), the first-fruits of our God-given talents and our earnings while we steward the rest, multiplying all that He puts in our hands, and doing so to His glory, alone. It can become a little more challenging to consider what this means for us as a nation. So, explanation is in order here.

To give you something to think and pray about, I offer that which is familiar to us all, The Ten Commandments. I would suggest that this is God's Plan which if put into action, really would improve our personal and collective governance.

I must preface my remarks by saying, that to the degree that are to become One Nation under the God of the Bible, it will not be because we are a Christian nation. To the contrary, we are not a "Christian" Nation. HOWEVER, what we do continue to be by God's Grace, is a nation with Christian roots that thankfully has a sufficient number [and growing] of Saved, Blood of Lamb bought, people, inside and out of this country who remain faithful at their post, daily praying for the United States of America to be One Nation under God.

It is to those Who are the Redeemed and know it that I direct the rest of my comments. [I address these remarks to the "Saved" for practical reasons. It is only in the Saving Power of Christ Jesus that the Commandments can be kept. The Ten Commandments do not save. Rather, they convict the lost. That is why such resistance exists to their posting. The words of God, His law, unsettles the unredeemed spirit.]

We must continue to reference as our criteria the TEN COMMANDMENTS when deciding our vote. You have seen these Commandments before. We must revisit this familiar list
with increased clarity, asking how do the candidates stand up against God's list?

1. I AM the LORD your God, 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

2. 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

3. 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

4. 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

5. 'Honor your father and your mother.'

6. 'You shall not murder.'

7. 'You shall not commit adultery.'

8. 'You shall not steal.'

9. 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'

10. 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant ,nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'

Now, prayerfully, let's take another look, a good look, at each of those commands from God. And, let's identify what violation looks like and what the implications are for our present age.

The TEN COMMANDMENTS:

1. I AM the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, you shall have no other gods before me.

[Violation of Commandment #1 comes from the willingness to so reverence prominence and possessions; many times, we secure these by virtue of our labor plus the making of decisions characteristic of "people pleasing" to the neglect of God given responsibilities. We each must take a prayerful inventory of what we do on a daily basis. We should start the day with God so that He can order our steps, we should end the day with accountability to God for how we spent the time He has given us this day. This would improve governance of our individual households. It would also improve governance of our nation.]

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love unto a thousand generation of those who love Me and keep My Commandments.

[There is much that can be said about this command. But, for now let's discuss what captivates our attention because that is in effect what an idol is. What do we put most of our energy into? What do we fear losing the most? What values do we demonstrate (not just say) motivates how we approach each day? My Dad who was a wonderful, spirit-filled Christian man of God, would say to me, "Livvy, it's not what people say that tells you who they are. It's what they do." That, sage insight from my earthly Dad has carried me a long way in this life. It did so, not just because of the meaningfulness of what he said. It did so, because I saw who he was with every move he made. I saw Christ Jesus in the loving compassion and generosity of my Dad. I saw the contrary in many others. And,what we expose our children to is what gets passed down from generation to generation.]

3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.

[I once thought that the misuse of the Name of the LORD was limited to cursing, vulgar slinging of "Jesus" impulsively or emotively without one care in the world about Who He is or the problem of blasphemy. It has come to my attention late in life that taking the Name of the LORD in vain includes our purporting to be Christ followers, yet denying Who He is by the decisions we make (decisions like supporting those individuals or ideologies that counter what God says in His written word, the Holy Bible) and acting contrary to what God would have us do. In other words, our actions can be an expression of taking the Name of the LORD in vain, especially if those actions are exhibited to others who will see what we "Christians" do that is not Christ-like, and thus becomes an obstacle to salvation.]

4.Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, or your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, not the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought your out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath.

[There is much that can be said here, too. But, suffice it to say that one day in seven we need to rest in the Lord, be especially mindful of Him and worship Him. We need to Remember Him. And, by "Remember Him" I am not just suggesting thinking about Him although, of course, that is what we are doing. By "Remembering Him" I am suggesting that we "Re-Member Him" meaning that we who are each Members of His Body need to re-assemble ourselves as a full expression of Who He is at least one day in Seven. So, not only are we to recollect our mind, body, and spirit in alignment with Who God is privately, we are to manifest collectively Who He is in our congregational worship of Him.

Recently, a pastor whose church was the site of one of our National Day of Prayer locations said, "The World is made up of broken relationships. If you turn on any of the talk shows, all they are about is broken relationships. The answer is here in 1John. We need right relationship with Jesus Christ. If we are right with Him, we will walk in the light as God is in the Light. Right relationship with God makes possible right relationship with others." To this, I say Amen. Relationships must be protected and nurtured, especially with God. I find myself having to repent and reconnect, repent and reconnect with Jesus, for as times progress, the offenses are on the rise. Many can be recuring from a familiar source. Can you imagine how much more productive our nation would be if we did not have the mindset of needing to escape our circumstances but become stronger and better because of them? God grants grace. Amen! I say, Hallelujah for the human sanctification agents that give us a workout so that we become strong in this life and simultaneously strengthen our longing for heaven. Amen!]

5. Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

[Bible teachers are quick to point out that this is the only Commandment of the ten that comes with a promise. This means that independent of the caliber of person your parents are, they are your parents. God did not make a mistake with giving you those parents even if they are the most horrendous persons that have ever breathed. We are to honor them because God says so. If we do, He will give us the grace to live in freedom from whatever oppression the enemy of our souls intends. This is a good conversation to consider as we and our parents age. A Google site lists the following definitions for honor:

--. Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence.
--. That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness; specif., in men, integrity; uprightness; trustworthness; in women, purity; chastity.
--. A nice sense of what is right, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege.
--. That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank.
--. Fame; reputation; credit.
--. A token of esteem paid to worth; a mark of respect; a ceremonial sign of consideration; as, he wore an honor on his breast; military honors; civil honors.
--. A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation.
--. A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable....etc.(SOURCE: http://www.dictionary.net/honor)

In conclusion, we honor God when we honor what He wants us to honor. That should be sufficient reason to do so. Can you imagine the difference in health we would experience if we were not constantly haunted by "Why?" questions with regard to parents and loved ones? Pharmacuetical companies would have to rethink their money making products.]

6. You shall not murder.

[This translation is a good one as so many use the term "kill" rather than "murder."
"Murder" is the right translation. We are to recognize that God does not endorse "Murder," unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice according to legal dictionaries. And, as Christians, the definition includes "hatred" as in those incidences when we do hate, we are "murderers in our hearts." Can you imagine how much more efficiently we would operate if we didn't have to go out of our way to avoid certain folks because we "hate" them. More importantly, can you imagine how many inventors, discoverers of medical breakthough, technological innovators have been murdered via abortion. The one who God embued with a cure for cancer may have already been dismembered in his mother's womb. A moral outrage for sure! And, an economic setback.]

7. You shall not commit adultery.

[Let's look at this word, "adultery." The New Webster Dictionary defines it as unlicensed intercourse, infidelity, cuckoldry, extramarital affair; then says see fornication. A better definition may be found in the Webster Unabridged that says,
1.violation of the marrage bed; sexual intercouse between a married man and a woman not his wife, or between a married woman and a man, hot her husband. Adulter is a common legal ground for divorce. 2. in Scripture, all manner of lewdness or unchastity; also, idolatry or apostasy. And, interestingly enough, Webster gives a third definition which is,"in ecclesiastical affairs, the intrusion of a person into a bishopric during the life of the bishop." I had to look up the word, "bishopric". It means the position, authority, or rank of a bishop.

At the very root of the word, "adultery," is implied the word, "adulterate." To adulterate is to "debase" with a foreign mixture. To be "adulterous" is to be spurious and corrupt.
We are not to be spurious or corrupt.
We are to keep our God ordained covenant.
Just a special note here: In my reading of late, I have found an interesting set of facts that I will interpret in this way because I believe it to be the truth. Economically, God has allowed our financial situation to plummet to the point that it is now economically too expensive to divorce. One household is cheaper than two. Think about it. "It's cheaper to keep her, is even more true, today! Hallelujah! Amen!]

8. You shall not steal.

[With the definition of the word, "steal" we understand that we are not to:
take or appropriate (another's property, ideas, etc.) without permission, dishonestly, or unlawfuly, especially in a secret or surreptious manner.
Webster says the word is synomous with pilfer, purloin, plunder,rob, filch, thieve, swindle, and rifle. We are not to do this. If we are in right relationship with Jesus, He can give us the moral clarity that leads to invention and prosperity using the work of our own hands. Without inventiveness--a gift from God--there is no creative or unique contribution to be made for the benefit of ourselves or our society.]

9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

[We are not to lie about anyone. We are to tell the Truth in Love]

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or and, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

[We are not to be envious of what others have. Folks would be free to fear that their possessions will be ransacked or otherwise taken away.]

We know that these Ten Commandments will not save us. Nor, can we keep them in our own strength. They served a useful purpose for our salvation in that we realize that God's standards are higher than man's. We recognize that we fail, we sin, meaning we fall short of the the glory of God. And, that's why we cry out to the only one who can save us, Christ Jesus Our Lord. Through Him, God has made a provision for us so that those Commandments can be kept. What God had done is give us His Son, Christ Jesus, to live His life through us. We are His body. May the Holy Spirit not be grieved but become so comfortable in us that He guide all of our actions in this life.

Saints, what makes the World uncomfortable is the convicting presence of God's Holy Spirit that comes with the display of those Ten Commandments. To those who take offense, we invite you to a higher life, a life in relationship with Jesus. "Come, let us reason together," says the Lord. Though your sins, your acts that serve only to further distance yourself from Me, be the color of scarlet--a bright, big, red STOP LIGHT that is troubling and terribly inconvenient because it reminds you from of where you have plunged, let Me make those sins white as new fallen snow. You can be saved from those self-destructive patterns of life you have grown accustomed to. Just ask for forgiveness, and accept the provision I have made for you, says the Lord. Accept Christ Jesus into your life. Say, "Come into my life, Lord Jesus!"

Saints, share this blog link with others. And, then share Jesus Christ with them. Folks are going to need help understanding the Christian walk. Let's be about Abba's business and do the Great Commission. Let's honor Our Father Who is in Heaven.

Let's make manifest the holiness of His Name today and every day thereafter until Christ Jesus returns. Let's pray for all and in our actions be living testimony to the Sovereignty of Christ Jesus.
Onward Christian Soldiers!
Amen!

--Livvy McDonald, :) <><

My Postscript:
We speak to nations, including our own!