The Ten Commandments and Their Importance
Do you ever think about the significance of the Ten Commandments? Maybe someone told you they no longer apply or aren’t relevant to Christians and society. It’s possible you pushed them to the side and rarely think about them.
Some people wonder what happens if you don’t follow the Ten Commandments. They see them as a measuring stick for success. Obey them and you’re okay. If you don’t, you aren’t.
God had a different idea of their importance when He gave them to Moses to implement on behalf of the Israelites.
Importance of the Ten Commandments
Before explaining their significance, here’s some background information. The Mosaic Covenant detailed in Exodus is an agreement between God and the biblical Israelites and generations to follow. When Moses visits God on Mount Sinai, God outlines the terms of the covenant. God calls Israel and its people a holy nation. In addition to the Ten Commandments, they must follow other ordinances outlined by God. He confirms His plan to protect Israel from its enemies and extends grace to them for their sins.
Exodus 34:6-7
Then the Lord descended in the form of a pillar of cloud and stood there with him (Moses), and passed in front of him and announced the meaning of his name. “I am Jehovah, the merciful and gracious God,” he said, “slow to anger and rich in steadfast love and truth. I, Jehovah, show this steadfast love to many thousands by forgiving their sins; or else I refuse to clear the guilty, and punish a father’s sins in the sons and grandsons, and even later generations.”
There’s one problem.
Each time Moses tells the Israelites what God said, the people reply “All the words which the Lord said we will do” (Exodus 24:3 is one example). Except, they never honor their words. As soon as their leader leaves (one of Moses’ 40-day meetings with God), the Israelites make a golden calf and worship it instead of God.
Why couldn’t they keep these instructions from God as one requirement of His covenant? The Israelites were human beings with sinful natures. Like them, you and I can’t depend on our flesh to follow God and seek holiness.
Plus, Keeping the Ten Commandments Doesn’t Save Us
The repetitive requirements in the Old Testament didn’t save them from sin.
Hebrews 10:1-4 (TLB)
The old system of Jewish laws gave only a dim foretaste of the good things Christ would do for us. The sacrifices under the old system were repeated again and again, year after year, but even so they could never save those who lived under their rules. If they could have, one offering would have been enough; the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all and their feeling of guilt would be gone. But just the opposite happened: those yearly sacrifices reminded them of their disobedience and guilt instead of relieving their minds. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats really to take away sins.
When Jesus died for sin and disease, God’s grace fulfilled the law. Jesus’ blood is the final sacrifice because the law couldn’t save people. When you’re in Him (He’s your Lord and Savior), you no longer serve the law but Jesus. He took the sin, condemnation, guilt, and curse for your trespasses. However, you’re aware that Jesus came to fulfill the law.
Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV)
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Christ’s Love Is the New Law Written on Your Heart
Did you notice upon becoming a Christian that love filled your heart? You start to think differently than you used to. The Holy Spirit who resides in you helps you tap into the love of God in your heart to build faith which leads to obedience.
Romans 13:8-10
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
When you understand God’s grace, you understand the central promise in the Old Testament of looking ahead to the coming of the perfect sacrifice (Messiah). This promise is fulfilled by the New Testament covenant. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” The commandments are no longer a list of legalistic rules that are impossible to keep.
The mandates take on a richer meaning for believers. They understand their significance and why God preserved them by placing the two tablets in the Ark of the Covenant. The commandments tell us how to worship Him and how to treat others.
You can read the entire scripture regarding the commandments in Exodus 20.
What Are The Ten Commandments?
- You shall have no other Gods but me.
- You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
- You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
- You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
- Respect your father and mother.
- You must not commit murder.
- You must not commit adultery.
- You must not steal.
- You must not give false evidence against your neighbor.
- You must not be envious of your neighbor’s goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Reasons the Ten Commandments Are Pertinent
- Reveal the heart of God: He wants only the best for us and provides guidelines for success.
- Based on trust: Many people listen to their gut rather than the voice of God. The commandments provide God’s moral code because our hearts are deceitful. They point us in the right direction.
- They’re relevant: Even when Christians accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, they still sin. The commandments point us to the greatest commandment to follow in Matthew 22:36-40. Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”