September 5, 2003
I am always amazed when people call God's Holy Word "pure
fantasy" or
that the Ten Commandments are "fairy tales". It is also frightening to
me because God's Word is either true or it is not. If it is true, it
means we will all stand before God in judgment since the Bible says in
Hebrews 9:27
"man is destined to die once, and after that to face
judgment". If the Bible is not true then I guess a person has nothing to
worry about. I happen to believe that The Bible is God's Inerrant Word,
that I can apply it to my life, and that it is true.
After performing many funerals and memorials I can attest to the fact
that as human beings we do indeed die. If we do stand in judgment after
death we had better be sure of what standards the judge, in this case
God, is going to apply. Finally to look with disdain on the Ten
Commandments is to question God about what He thinks is important. The
Ten Commandments were kept in the Ark of the Covenant, in the Holy of
Holies, in the Tabernacle. In other words, they were kept in the Holiest
Place on earth.
When God took Israel out of slavery in Egypt He was demonstrating His
Love for His people. When He gave them the Ten Commandments it was an
illustration of His love for them and how their love for one another was
to be put into action. It was a "covenant" or "contract" between God and
the people. If you examine the Ten Commandments and think carefully
about them you will see that outside their words love can simply not
exist. If I love someone, I will not lie to them, steal from them, want
what is rightfully theirs, or "murder" them. If I love my parents I will
do what they say.
The first four deal with our relationship with God. If we understand
who He is, we have no trouble putting Him first in our lives. The next
six deal with our relationships with others. Now you'll notice that all
except the fifth commandment are in the negative or "prohibitive". They
can only show us what we shouldn't do. They don't provide a solution to
our propensity to lean towards these actions that are prohibitive.
This is where the New Covenant that Jesus teaches in the New Testament comes
into action. If you read carefully through the Book of Romans written by
the Apostle Paul, you see that the Ten Commandments and the Law show us
we are sinful, since we simply cannot obey them completely. Much as when
I get up in the morning I look in the mirror and see that I need to
shave. The mirror doesn't shave me, it just points out that I need to do
so. This is what the Law does, points out that we are guilty. Jesus
also, points out that if we have broken one of the laws we have broken
them all.
Now since as a human being I know that I've broken a few of the Ten
Commandments, I've broken them all. This is why I smile to myself when
people point out that Christians are hypocrites. If you want to see a
hypocrite feel free to look at my life. Am I as compassionate as I
should be, as loving, forgiving. Do I "will" the best for others all the
time? Do I put God first above all? Are all of my words that I speak
"wholesome and helpful for building others up according to their needs",
do they "benefit those who listen". Of course not. I know for a fact
that I simply cannot live up to what I profess. Although each day I get
up in the morning and try.
Realizing that I'm guilty before God because I've broken everyone of
His laws puts me in quite the quandary. I want to do what's right, but
there is something inside of me that constantly wars against that.
Sometime sit down and analyze your life and you will see this in
yourself. You want to tell the truth but you lie, you want to get along
with others then the next minute you are getting angry with them and
thinking how stupid they are. If you look at the Ten Commandments it all
comes down to the fact that if I disobey them, I'm saying that I want to
be first above all others, it is the "me, me, me…" syndrome. This is sin
plain and simple.
What do I do about this? God has made a new covenant with mankind. It
took place at the cross. This is a historical event, it actually took
place. The new covenant or contract God made is simply
John 3:16
,"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
His Son died on the cross, His blood washed away all my sins, everything
I've ever done wrong against His Law. He says if I believe this I will
have eternal life, that when I stand in front of Him after I die I will
be declared "Righteous". Not, "not guilty", but "Righteous". I like this
very much, it's not what I have done, it is what God has done for me.
This is why I can put Him first in all things. This is why when I
stumble and fall I know I am forgiven.
This offer is open to everyone who will accept it. As a Pastor I pray
that each person will seriously take a look at the cross and realize
what God has done. That they will not make the mistake of thinking the
cross is a "fairy tale" or "pure fantasy". But a harsh reality in the
price God was willing to pay so that each person if they choose can be
in Heaven.
Sincerely,
Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Terry Johnson
Calvary Chapel Westwood
P.O. Box 1386
315 Ash Street
Westwood, Ca 96137
530.256.3309
http://ccwestwood.com
