Manuscripture article about the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments – Two Greatest Commandments
By what standard should we live? How do we know what is right and wrong? The God who created us wrote for us the Ten Commandments by His own finger. (1) We know this because God tells us in the Bible. Plus when Jesus came to earth he told us what the Two Greatest Commandments of all were. If you ever wondered what the best lifestyle would be to live, you need to look no further. Here it is all summed up.
What are the Ten Commandments? These Jewish Ten Commandments were given by God at Mt. Sinai for all people and for all time. They are the moral statutes that clearly lay down man’s relationship with God and with each other. God’s Ten Commandments are the standard of holiness which reveals that we need a Savior, Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who came to earth to become the perfect, sinless sacrifice for us. His death and resurrection conquered once and for all time and people the power of sin. God's statutes are right, rejoicing the heart (2). As we live out these commandments in our lives they bring us closer to seeing God's blessings.
As artist Jonathan Blocher said, "While the Ten Commandments govern our actions, the two Greatest Commandments govern the attitudes of the heart that underlie righteous behavior." I couldn't have said it better myself. As peoples of all nations and generations allow God to govern the attitudes of their hearts, the actions taken would bring about transformation in our families, churches, communities and the world. This world would be a totally different place in which to live.
God is concerned about our hearts – adults, young people and even children. Yes, these Ten Commandments are the Ten Commandments for children too. If we all follow them, we will be spared much pain and heartache.
What are the Two Greatest Commandments? Jesus was actually answering a lawyer's question in the New Testament of the Bible with these words, "on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets," that we should "love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind," and "to love our neighbor as yourself." He was actually quoting from where these commandments were first mentioned by Moses (3) when he called the Israelites together to tell them what the Lord God said about loving Him. Moses was giving them instruction to diligently teach their children at various times during the day and evening.
Just think what life would be like if all people lived according to the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God's hand and the two Great Commandments emphasized by Jesus. We would be attentive to His voice through the Holy Spirit if we are indeed believers. If we fear God and live by His standards there would be much fewer cases in our court system, less corruption in our government, more genuine love in our relationships, our priorities would be in the right place, and there would be a spirit of peace everywhere. Hopefully, such a life begins in the home where a mother and father are training their children to live by God's standards.
We are encouraged (2) to desire God's Word, His statutes, His law, His judgments, His testimonies, and His commandments more than "much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb." If we actually do make God's Word a priority, even the words of our mouth and the medication (the thoughts) of our heart will be acceptable to God.
Job, a patriarch in the Bible, said (6) that he esteemed God's Word (what God has said) more than his necessary food. Are we actually living by these standards? We should keep these Ten Commandments and the Two Greatest Commandments in front of our eyes at all times, fearing God, knowing we will give an account someday to holy God for how we lived our life. But God, in His great mercy knew we could not keep these commandments because of our sin, so He sent us a Savior, Jesus Christ.
Footnotes: (l) Exodus 20, (2)Matthew 22, (3)Deuteronomy 6:5, (4)Leviticus 19:18, (2)Psalm 19, (6)Job 23:12