These 10 commandment are common to all Semetic religions(Christianity,
Judaism and Islam). Christianity, the largest Abrahamic faith, claims
33% of the world's population, Islam comes second with 21%, and Judaism
has 0.2%. More than half of the world population knows the Ten
Commandements.
As those 10 utterances were
memorialized and universalized, they provided a code of conduct that
honored family, protected life, secured property, defined boundaries,
enhanced trust and thereby secured the foundation for cohesive and
productive social interaction. The Ten Commandments launched into human
history the hypothesis that a society could be peacefully ordered under a
rule of generally applicable laws rather than the forceful whim of
autocrats.
RELEVANCE
The last six commandments concern how people treat others with whom they have a relationship.
Respecting
parents is a tenet which is nearly universal, and doing so is not
likely to result in any harm. In fact, fostering a respectful
relationship between parents and their children is generally considered
to be a good idea.
Of the next five commandments, four of them have been codified as laws in cultures all over the world.
Committing
murder or adultery (which is not always categorized as a crime but is
certainly not generally considered to be socially acceptable), stealing,
or lying (specifically under oath) are all laws which keep order and
maintain justice in civilized societies.
The
last commandment has to do with coveting; while this is not against the
law, coveting (which is more than a casual wishing for) is not a good
idea because of what it can lead to if it is taken to the extreme.
Desiring
someone else's possessions too much can lead to theft; lusting after an
unavailable person can lead to adultery; coveting what someone else has
achieved can lead to bitterness, envy, and even class or race warfare.
Coveting can lead to a general dissatisfaction with life, even if a person never acts on the desire.
America
was founded on Christian principles and tenets, including the Ten
Commandments, and they have served as a foundation for many of the
country's laws. Following the first four commandments will help
Christians maintain a faithful relationship with God; following the last
six commandments will help citizens maintain basic civilities and
respect in their relationships with others.
HISTORY
From the very first sin (Adam and Eve)
God designed a plan to restore mankind to relationship and fellowship
with himself (see purpose). This plan, given to Israel, was called a
covenant. The covenant was originally given to Israel and in turn was to
be shared with the whole world. The covenant was binding upon both
parties (God and Israel). It could not be broken without severe
consequences.
God’s covenant was a promise that
His people accepted in faith believing God would do what He said. In
turn, the people promised God complete devotion and dedication to Him.
God
established a spoken and written (Ten Commandments) set of obligations
and responsibilities the people must obey in order to demonstrate their
devotion to God and separation from sin. It was through these laws that
Israel could learn the character of God and the dangers of sin.
God’s
chose Israel to be the messengers of God’s love for all mankind through
His covenant. The Ten Commandments were a key element of the covenant
God made with Israel.
Throughout the
generations God chose certain people with whom to carry out His
covenant. Mankind had been alienated from God because of sin. When God
made a covenant He made a promise to restore (redeem) the relationship
that had been lost. The covenant required three ingredients: 1) union
with God, 2) mutual promises, and 3) separation from sin.
The covenant demanded a way of life that was distinct from the “fleshly way of life” (whatever feels good-do it!) toward which all humankind is prone.
Disobedience
to the law symbolized a breaking of the covenant with God and brought
with it severe consequences. Sin alienates mankind from God. After
Adam’s sin God knew man was not capable of living a sinless life. God’s
covenant with His people, was not for the purpose of eliminating sin.
Sin would be ever present. Nor did God sit in the heavens waiting for
His people to disobey so He could enjoy punishing them. The purpose of
the covenant was to separate a people unto Himself, provide the promise
and hope of salvation, and to demonstrate the need for the “new
covenant” in Jesus Christ.
God, in His mercy,
required sacrifices to be made for sins. The penalty for sin is death
and God allowed the death of an animal as payment for the sin. The
sacrifices God required were symbolic of the future sacrifice made by
the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) for sin. The practice of obedience to the
law, faith in God’s promises, and sacrifice for sin demonstrated
keeping God’s covenant. Though God’s people were by no means perfect,
living a life in covenant brought God’s blessing and protection upon His
people.
No comments:
Post a Comment