Lent 17 - Living a Ten Commandment Life

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Exodus 20:1-17

Matthew 22:34-40

When confronted by the religious leaders and asked what is the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus responded by saying: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments."

I think that this is the difference between obeying the ten commandments as a list of strict rules and living a ten commandment life.

When we make it a priority to glorify God in everything that we do, we will naturally adhere to the ten commandments without even thinking about it. When faced with a choice to steal or not, which option would glorify God?

The same can be said for when we focus on loving our neighbour, we will naturally follow the 10 commandments as well. When faced with the option of murder, or committing adultery, what decision would we take if we are able to see Christ in the person we are planning to hurt?

Jesus understood that the point of the ten commandments was not to provide a list of strict rules to follow, they were given to God's people to bring life. And if our main priority is loving God and loving others, then living a good, holy life will follow naturally. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You perfectly modelled a life that was lived for the sole purpose of loving God and loving Your neighbour. Give us the strength and the patience to do the same today. Help us to naturally live a ten commandment life, glorifying God in all that we do and loving others in all the ways that we can. Amen

Image source: Orthodox Christian Network

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