Does the 10 commandments have any bearing on the Christian's day to day living?
Is the Christian under any obligation to keep God's 10 commandments?
It should be understood that the following comments have to do with people who already profess to be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our personal understanding and beliefs on this subject of the Law and the Gospel has a direct impact on how we view Christian sanctification ie..our being conformed more to Christ's image in this life.
First, I want to be completely clear regarding the following:
1. Does a person in any way "earn" their salvation/justification before God by keeping or trying to keep God's Law? ABSOLUTELT NOT
2. Does a Christian maintain his or her salvation by their obedience to God's 10 commandments? ABSOLUTELY NOT
Justificaion is by faith alone in Christ alone.
It is my understanding from the scriptures however, that the Law (10 comm.) does play a very important role in Christian sanctificaion. Christians are called to obey God's Law from a motive of love and gratitude. The bible is very clear that Christian's are to live lives of holiness and obedience to God...........not to earn God's favor but in view of God's favor having already been bestowed on them through the work of Jesus Christ on their behalf. Note the following scriptures:
Jesus said: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" John 14:15
and: "you shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself" and that this basically sums up the Law and the Prophets. See also Matt. ch. 5 where Chist shows that the Law applies not only to our actions, but thoughts and desires as well.
"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments......" 1John 5:3
In Romans Paul says "Love does no wrong to his neighbor" Rom. 13:10
So to really love God means you will want to:1. give Him first place in your life.
2. worship Him only and in His prescribed manner.
3. honor Him with the way you speak of him.
4. worship Him on His special day.
5. respect and obey your parents.
6. not hate and murder in heart or acton
7. not commit adultery but honor the marriage bed.
8. not steal anothers property or time etc..
9. speak the truth in love.
10. seek to be content with your lot in life.
If we really love God, to do these things (in heart and action) will not be a burden to us for it is never a burden to please someone you really have love and affection for. The Law then is very simply God's plain instructions on how to please Him, .........not to earn salvation, but in view of salvation already received by faith in Christ..........having been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ who shed His blood to atone for all of the times we have transgressed the Law of such a good, kind and holy God.
To perhaps overstate what should be obvious, Christians are to be people who avoid sin out of love for their savior, and "sin is the transgression of the Law" 1John 3:4
Lastly, does the Christian then look to the Law for strength and motivation to obey it...??
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
The Christian must look to Christ....remembering His love and sacrifice for his sins as that which can arouse warm love and affection and motivation to obey his God and Savior in all things.
We must look to Jesus Christ and remember His love for us..........and that should be enougth to motivate the true believer to love and obey God.
The Law will remind us of our sins and show us our sins and what God requires of us. The Gospel shows us the Saviour who kept the Law for us, taking its condemnation for our sins on Himself, and in turn gives us the "love motivation" to keep His commandments.
Respectfully in Christ,
adam town
