What about the Ten Commandments?

Some rules are made to be broken.

Even reading the Ten Commandments sends a shiver of intimidation down our necks, mixed, perhaps, with something darker. The laws God gave to Moses on the mountain are probably the best summary of human morality the world has ever seen, but the reaction they produce in human beings is frightening.

The culture of ancient Israel was based around the Ten Commandments. It should have been the most successful civilization ever, filled with moral, prosperous people. Instead, the Israelites were evil, sometimes even more so than the surrounding nations. They broke all ten laws, starting with the first two and working their way down the list.

But here’s the thing: the Ten Commandments were never meant to be the end of the story. They were meant to shine a spotlight on all that is evil and futile about the human race. God gave the best morality guide in history to prove humans can’t be moral.

The truth is, God never wanted humans to follow rules. He wanted to fill them with His love, that they might love Him and love others. The goal was always for God’s life, God’s love, and God’s very character to be united with the human race.

That is why God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and that is why the Holy Spirit has come to dwell within His church. God Himself is doing in us what the Ten Commandments never could: producing righteousness and love. • Kevin Zeller

• Read Mark 12:30-31. What two principles does Jesus describe as fulfilling the Ten Commandments? What do the two principles behind God’s laws show us about who He is?

• What questions do you have about the law and the Old Testament? Who is a trusted Christian—such as a pastor, camp counselor, or friend—you could bring those questions to?

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child [Jesus] who was promised. Galatians 3:19 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Exodus 20:1-17; Romans 7:7-14; Galatians 3:24-26