Then Ten Commandments of the Sawyer family reveal something about our character. In fact, I would argue that their value is not found primarily in their use as behavioral enforcement, but in their declaration of the values, heart, and focus of our family
The Ten Commandments of God are the same way. When we read them, we often approach them as a list of do’s and don’t’s. But that’s not how God approached them. In Exodus 20, he began by declaring who he was: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”
The Ten Commandments don’t begin with us, they begin with God. And the people didn’t follow the Ten Commandments in order to be delivered; they followed them because they had been delivered. Salvation came first. The commandments followed. Freedom then law. Deliverance then boundaries.
The people of God had been delivered from slavery and the ten commandments gave them freedom to experience a new kind of life.
They begin with God. And ultimately, they are a reflection of God’s character.
When he says, “no other gods” he is declaring his SOVEREIGNTY.
“Do not make a graven image” reveals his TRANSCENDENCE and his JEALOUSY.
“Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” points us to his HOLINESS.
“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy” reminds us of God’s REST and CREATIVITY.
“Honor your father and your mother” reminds us that God is COMMUNITY and loves community.
“Do not murder” reveals that God brings LIFE and life abundantly.
“Do not commit adultery” shows us the FAITHFULNESS of God.
“Do not steal” points in his PROVIDENCE.
“Do not bear false witness” declares that God is TRUTH.
“Do not covet” points us to the SUFFICIENCY of God.
These ten commandments are ultimately an expression of God, his character, and what he values.
And we follow them…not in order to earn salvation. But because we have been saved. We follow them not to earn God’s favor, but because we have God’s favor. We follow them not because they are rules God has implemented to keep us from having fun. We follow them because they are the trademarks of the family of God. Because as we have been adopted into his family and grow closer and closer to him and love him more and more and look more and more like him—this is what we look like.
