THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
STILL VALID TODAY
A) INTRODUCTION.
B) COMMON-SENSE.
C) OUR GOD IS UNCHANGING.
D) A COMPARISON OF GOD’S LAW AND HIS CHARACTER.
E) TOTAL COMMON-SENSE.
F) BIBLICAL PERSONALITIES STILL KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
G) THE TEN COMMANDMENTS HAVE ALWAYS EXISTED (even) BEFORE SINAI.
H) THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WILL ALWAYS EXIST.
I) A LIST OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE SINAI AND IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
A) INTRODUCTION
What is “righteousness?” According to Psalm 119:172, “Thy Commandments are righteousness.” See also Romans 8:4.
According to James 2:10, “whosoever” breaks God’s Law “in one point, he is guilty of” breaking the entire Law of God. How is that possible? Because, according to Deuteronomy 7:9; First Kings 8:23; Second Chronicles 6:14; Psalm 25:10; Hebrews 8:8-9, and others, it was because by breaking any of the Commandments, you have broken the “covenant/agreement” with God, that you would keep Them.
Most people view the Ten Commandments as negative; “Thou shalt not;” “Thou shalt not. . .” By contrast, the Hebrew expresses either “Thou shalt not,” or better, “You will not.” The point is, the Ten Commandments are set up with Exodus, Chapter 20, verse 2, “Because I brought you out of the land of Egypt,” out of respect for Me, “You will not,” because My character will be with you and in you.
In Hebrew, the Ten Commandments are listed as the “aseret ha’devarim,” meaning, the “Ten Words.” Sometimes expressed as (but not correctly), the “Ten Sayings.” The ancient Greeks referred to the Ten Commandments as, the “Deka Logue,” meaning, “Ten Words.” And the “Latin Vulgate” agreed, “Decem Verba,” meaning “Ten Words.” In Exodus 20:6, they are referred to as, the ten “Utterances,” or “Matters.” As far down as William Tyndale (1494-1536 A.D.), people were still following in calling the Ten Commandments, the “Ten Verses.”
The reason we list the Commandments as “ten” is because of Exodus 34:28 & Deuteronomy 4:13 & Deuteronomy 10:4. In Exodus 20:1 and Deuteronomy 5:22, the Hebrew for “words” is, “Strong’s Concordance, “H1697,” equaling, “Dabar.” What is interesting, in Deuteronomy 4:13, the same Hebrew word “Dabar” is translated as “Ten Commandments,” staying in context. And when we go to Psalm 105:8, where it is translated as, “the Word,” it should have been (could have been) translated as “Ten Commandments,” because our Hebrew word “Dabar” is used there.
According to Exodus 32:15, “the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.” Jewish scholars believe that as God was writing on the one side of the tablet, He was also writing on the opposite side at the same time.
Also, according to Romans 5:14, sin -- which is the transgression of God’s Law, First John 3:4 -- reigned “from Adam to Moses.” Meaning the Law of God was in operation. Not written, but transferred from person to person; starting with Adam. Plus, since “for the devil sinneth from the beginning,” First John 3:8, we can know for a fact that the Law of God has always been in existence.
B) COMMON-SENSE
First, even though one can count the literal number of Commandments in Exodus, Chapter 20, one could argue that God has given more than those Ten elsewhere in Scripture. However, we receive our number of Ten as being a covering for ALL of God’s Commandments from Deuteronomy 4:13.
“At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.” Aristotle.
A proper knowledge of the Ten Commandments is to understand that you don’t break them, they break you.
Most people will accuse you of being a legalist or a person who is all about the works of the Law (Old Testament Christian). Let’s take a closer look at that (By the way if you want to accuse anyone of being a legalist for keeping God’s [Ten] Commandments, then I want to be a legalist).
Eight out of the 10 Commandments state, “Thou shalt not.” In other words, “rest; stop; wait; think,” before you act. The other two, one of which states, “Honor your parents,” and the Other, “Remember” to “rest” in the comfort of a day to contemplate God’s Rules. Please tell me how you get works out of that? There is not one “work” in the Ten Commandments; only “worship,” (you may consider this to be work related and stressful) and “rest.” For “they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast,” Revelation 14:11.
Let’s Be Honest. Why did Jesus die? You might answer, “Because He Loved us.” Great! But that answer avoids the true answer. Therefore, let me ask the question a different way. Why did Jesus HAVE TO die? Your answer should be, “Because the Law of God was violated -- He died for our sins.” Fantastic! For only God can die for the breaking of His Own Laws.
Now we need some common-sense here. If the Law of God could have been changed or abolished, then Jesus did not have to die upon a cross. In fact, since Jesus did die for our sins, this establishes God’s Law throughout eternity as to be as unchanging as God Himself is (see my explanation below under C). This is why Jesus instituted the “Communion Service” before the cross; because if He had done that after He was resurrected, then He would have had to die again for the newly established Law of God that would be violated and not unchangeable.
In conclusion (and you shouldn’t need the rest of this article other than the interesting points I make), since the Law of God is as unchangeable as He is, any revision of the Law of God (Ten Commandments to be specific) that is done by mankind, is considered to be a violation of God’s written Law. Thus, Jesus Came to save us from our sins, not in them.
What got Satan and his hoard of angels kicked out of Heaven in the first place? Satan taught that God’s Commandments were a “heavy burden” and that they were “grievous to be borne,” Matthew 23:4. By contrast, God responded with Love, stating, “My Yoke [His Law] is easy, and My burden is light,” Matthew 11:30. Therefore, to rebel against the Commandments of God is to dispute against the Love of God and agree with Satan.
In John 15:10 we learn that Jesus Himself “kept My Father’s Commandments,” making Jesus acceptable to God the Father, in that Jesus “abide[s] in His Love.” How then can we cancel in any way our Fathers Commandments when Jesus did not? And for those who argue that “faith is all you need,” let’s look at Hebrews 11:8: “By faith Abraham” did what -- “obeyed.” Faith, or belief, or whatever you want to call it, should always lead to obedience.
The Law of God is not a burden except when that Law is transgressed and the penalties begin to express themselves.
C) OUR GOD IS UNCHANGING
If the Law of God could be changed, then Adam and Eve need not to have been taken out of the Garden of Eden nor have “sin” accounted to them. God’s Law, in fact, is just a transcript of God’s Character. Without the Law, there is no God. Or, without God, there is no Law. The Biblical fact that our God is unchanging is seen in these texts:
Numbers 23:19; Psalm 89:34; Psalm 102:27; Ecclesiastes 3:14-15; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 1:11-12; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17; First Peter 1:23.
The very mention of sin demands the existence of God’s Law; else no sin exists and there would be no need for grace;
The very mention of grace demands the existence of God’s Law; else grace would not be necessary if there were no sin;
The very mention of repentance towards God demands the existence of God’s Law; else what are you repenting of and in need of mercy;
The very mention of mercy demands the existence of God’s Law; else no mercy, or forgiveness is needed;
The very mention of forgiveness demands the existence of God’s Law; else there is no need for forgiveness in order to be pardoned;
The very mention of pardon demands the existence of God’s Law; else there is no need for pardon if there is no transgression;
The very mention of transgression demands the existence of God’s Law; else there has been no transgression, which is disobedience;
The very mention of disobedience demands the existence of God’s Law; else there is nothing to be disobedient to; or for that matter, to be obedient to.
NOTE: The Biblical definition of sin is: The Transgression of God’s Law. Else there is no such thing as “sin.” See Romans 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 5:20; 7:7; First Corinthians 15:56; First John 3:4.
We could go on-and-on with the above examples. Here is another: According to James 1:23-25, one looks into the mirror and compares his character to God’s Law. Meaning, he strives to keeps It; he works to put It into practice in one’s life.
The problem some have with the Law of God is a misunderstanding of Its role in the plan of salvation. When we go to the doctor with an ailment, there must first be a diagnosis before there can be a treatment. The problem comes when people confuse the diagnosis with the treatment. The Law of God not only serves as the standard, but it also occupies a diagnostic role in the salvation process. Paul simply states that without the Law of God he would not have known what sin was (Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:13). God’s Law then, diagnoses us all as sinners. Without this diagnosis, there is little incentive to come to Jesus for healing.
D) A COMPARISON OF GOD’S LAW AND HIS CHARACTER
A Comparison Of God’s Law And His Character Is Astounding:
God is Spiritual (John 4:24) = God’s Law is Spiritual (Rom. 7:14).
God is Love (1Jo. 4:8) = God’s Law is Love (Psa. 119:97 & 113 & 163 & 165; Mark 12:29-31; and many more).
God is Truth (John 14:6) = God’s Law is Truth (Psa. 119:142 & 151).
God is Righteousness (1Co. 1:30) = God’s Law is Righteousness (Psa. 119:172).
God is Faithful (1Co. 1:9; 10:13) = God’s Law is Faithful (Psa. 119:86).
God is Holy (Isa. 6:3; and many more) = God’s Law is Holy (Rom. 7:12).
God is Just (Isa. 45:21) = God’s Law is Just (Rom. 7:12).
God is Good (Ezra 8:22; Psalm 73:1; 143:10; Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19; and many more) =
God’s Law is Good (Rom. 7:12).
God is Perfect (Mat. 5:48) = God’s Law is Perfect (Psa. 19:7).
God Shall Stand For Ever (Isa. 40:8) = God’s Law Shall Stand For Ever (Psa. 111:7-8).
God is Pure (1Jo. 3:3) = God’s Law is Pure (Psa. 19:8).
God is Right (Exo. 15:26) = God’s Law is Right (Psa. 19:8).
God is Un-Variable (Jam 1:17) = God’s Law is Un-Variable (Mat. 5:18).
God is Sure (Pas. 111:70) = God’s Law is Sure (Psa. 19:7).
E) TOTAL COMMON-SENSE
The Law of God, at the same time that it “is” Law, is of the nature of “counsel,” since it is indicative of what God regards as wise and good; and since it is the best “advice” that God can give to people. A just and righteous law, while it involves “obligation” to obey it, is also the best counsel that can be given, and implies that the highest “wisdom” would be shown in being obedient to it. Our God will “Command” nothing which He would not “advise,” and which It would not be “wisdom” to obey. Consider it as a parent establishing rules in their own household. Are these rules not for the betterment of the family relationship?
Consider Psalm 143:10: “Teach me to do Thy Will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” Notice that the Psalmist doesn’t ask God to SHOW him His Will, because he already knows that! Consider also Psalm 19:16: “He that keepeth the Commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” The cost of obedience is nothing when compared to the cost of disobedience.
Finally, many argue that the apostle Paul canceled the Ten Commandment Law with his many statements. However, he has many statements that exonerate the Law of God. The most profound statement of Paul, that both shows his true meaning between those questionable statements about God’s Law, and the Law of God itself, is his discussion in First Corinthians, Chapter 9. Specifically, let’s take a look at verse 21, where he makes sure that none are led to believe that he is in any way speaking negatively about God’s Law: “To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without Law to God, but under the Law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.” And Romans 7:25, “I myself serve the Law of God.” Any other so called questionable texts (statements) of Paul should be contained in these.
To change the Ten Commandments in any way would be to admit that something was inherently wrong with them from the start. Jesus said of the Comforter: “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin [Remember, “sin” is the transgression of the Law], and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8. A man must feel his need before he will accept help. The first part of the comforting work of the Holy Spirit therefore, is to convict the sinner of his sins. And, “By the Law is the knowledge of sin,” Romans 3:20.
No one hates the man who has saved his life by pointing out to him an unknown peril. By contrast, God’s Law should also be regarded as a friend. This can be seen by noticing the Apostle John’s definition of “love,” in Second John 1:6(besides the fact that he states: “God is Love,” 1Jo. 4:8): “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law.” See also John 14:15 & 15:14.
F) BIBLICAL PERSONALITIES STILL KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AFTER THE DEATH OF OUR LORD
Let’s go through some Biblical personalities, in the New Testament alone, that regard God’s Commandments as still being binding:
Where in John’s Writings does he state that we should keep God’s Commandments?
(John 14:15 & 21; 15:10 & 14; Actually, John is quoting Jesus); First John 2:3-4; 3:22; 5:3; Revelation 14:12; 22:14.
Where in Peter’s Writings does he state that we should keep God’s Commandments?
First Peter 1:22; Second Peter 2:21; 3:2.
Where in James Writings does he state that we should keep God’s Commandments?
Jam. 1:25; 2:8 & 12.
Where in Paul’s Writings does he state that we should keep God’s Commandments?
Romans 2:14; 3:20, 31; 7:7 & 12 & 14 & 22 & 25; 8:2 & 4; 13:2 & 8-10; First Corinthians 7:19; 9:21; Galatians 5:14 & 18-23; 6:2; First Thessalonians 4:2; First Timothy 1:8; Hebrews 10:16.
Where in the Bible did Jesus say to keep His Commandments?
Matthew 15:6; 22:37-39; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:26-28; John 14:15 & 21; 15:10 & 14. And here John is quoting Jesus: Revelation 14:12; 22:14.
G) THE TEN COMMANDMENTS HAVE ALWAYS EXISTED (even) BEFORE SINAI
If God’s Law did not exist until Sinai, and that They are only for the Jews, consider that Satan “was a murderer from the beginning” and “a liar,” John 8:44; and “God spared not the angels that sinned,” Second Peter 2:4; “for the devil sinneth from the beginning,” First John 3:8. How is that one can then claim that there was no Law in existence pre-earth or before Adam sinned? And how could Adam be accused of sinning if there was no Law. Romans 5:14 also teaches us that God’s Law existed “from Adam to Moses.” After Moses It was in writing.
The Ten Commandments have always been existence; for they are the CHARACTER of God. Just as the rules of a household, set forth by the mother and father, are the CHARACTER of the individuals involved, so their rules are a definition of who they are. This is how it is with our Lord. His Commandments are an expression of Who He is; His value system. They have always been in existence because God Himself has always been in existence. There never was a time when He did not exist (Psa. 90:2; 93:2; 103:17; Pro. 8:23; Isa. 44:6; 57:15; Mic. 5:2; Hab. 1:12; Col. 1:17). Therefore, the Ten Commandments have always existed. The fact that Satan was a sinner from the beginning(John 8:44; 2Pe. 2:4; 1Jo. 3:8) overwhelmingly proves that God’s Law was in existence then.
To review then: We know that “sin is the transgression of the Law,” First John 3:4, and as such, God regards sin as the breaking of His Law (Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 7:7; 1Co. 15:56; Gal. 2:17-19; 3:10 & 22). Therefore, since the Bible states that Satan “sinneth from the beginning,” First John 3:8, God’s Law has always existed. See also: Genesis 4:7; Genesis 13:13; 17:1-4; 18:19; 26:5; Exodus 5:5 [“rest” = “Sabbath”]; 13:9; 16:28 (note the plural); 18:16; 19:5; First Chronicles 16:15-17; Psalm 105:44-45; Ezekiel 28:15; John 8:44; Romans 5:12-13; Second Corinthians 3:3-11; Galatians 3:17-22; Second Peter 2:4; First John 3:8; Revelation 11:19; and many others I have missed.
“He [Satan} has succeeded in making the world believe the theory he presented in Heaven before his fall, that the Law of God was faulty, and needed revising.” 2SM:107.
“From the very beginning of the great controversy in Heaven it has been Satan's purpose to overthrow the Law of God. It was to accomplish this that he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator, and though he was cast out of Heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth.” GC:582.
H) THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WILL ALWAYS EXIST
Isaiah 2:2-3: “(2) And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. (3) And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 66:23: “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the LORD.”
Remembering that the Ten Commandments are housed in the Ark of the Testament in the Heavenly Sanctuary, here is:
Hebrews 9:24: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Revelation 15:5: “And after that I looked, and, behold, the Temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in Heaven was opened,” = The Ten Commandments visible before all.
Certainly, a loving God would not give beings Commandments that are impossible to obey, and then punish them for not obeying Them (Him). Truthfully, our Creator is a moral God Who created us to live in a moral universe. The Ten Commandments are simply that moral standard.
I) A LIST OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE SINAI AND IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Noting that Romans 5:14 applies to all of them; “from Adam to Moses,” and that “all have sinned,” Romans 3:23, which is not true if God’s Law was not in existence, and that the entire “world may [is] become guilty before God,” Romans 3:19. See also Romans 3:9 & Galatians 3:22. Plus, all know of God’s Law because He has put It into everyone’s heart (Jer. 31:33; Rom. 2:15; compare with Deu. 8:2 & Rom. 1:21). Also, God told Cain that “sin lieth at the door,” Genesis 4:7, meaning God’s Law was already in action.
BEFORE SINAI
COMMANDMENT 1) Exodus 18:11; Isaiah 14:13-14; Romans 1:21 & 25.
COMMANDMENT 2) Genesis 31:19 & 30 & 32; 35:2 & 4; Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4; Romans 1:22-23 & 25.
COMMANDMENT 3) Genesis 21:23-24; 24:3 & 37.
COMMANDMENT 4) Genesis 2:1-4; Exodus 5:4-5; 16:4 & 23-30; Mark 2:27.
COMMANDMENT 5) Genesis 9:22-25: 24:53; 27:12.
COMMANDMENT 6) Genesis 4:8-11 & 23-24; 9:5-6; Romans 1:29.
COMMANDMENT 7) Genesis 20:3-9; 39:7-9; Job 31:9-11; Romans 1:26-27 & 29.
COMMANDMENT 8) Genesis 3:6; 30:33; 31:19 & 30 & 32 & 36; 44:8 & 16.
COMMANDMENT 9) Genesis 27:12; Job 12:16; Romans 1:25 & 29.
COMMANDMENT 10) Genesis 3:6; 27:6-10; Exodus 18:21 & Romans 1:29.
CONTAINED AND STILL APPLICABLE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
NOTE: This is a “small listing.”
COMMANDMENT 1) Matthew 4:10; Acts 14:11-15.
COMMANDMENT 2) Acts 17:29-30; Romans 1:23; 2:22; First Corinthians 8:4-6; 10:14; First John 5:21.
COMMANDMENT 3) Matthew 5:33; Romans 2:23-24; Colossians 3:8; James 5:12; First Timothy 6:1.
COMMANDMENT 4) Isaiah 66:23; Matthew 12:8 & 12; 24:20; Mark 2:27-28; 3:4; Luke 6:9; 14:3; 23:56; John 5:16-17; 7:23; Acts 13:14 & 42 & 44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4; Romans 9:29; Hebrews 4:4 & 9-10 (Symbolically Applied); James 5:4; Revelation 1:10; 11:19; 14:7; 15:5.
COMMANDMENT 5) Matthew 15:4; 19:19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 6:1-3.
COMMANDMENT 6) Matthew 5:21; 6:19; 19:18; 27:64; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; John 10:10; Romans 2:21; 13:9; Ephesians 4:28; Colossians 3:8; James 2:11.
COMMANDMENT 7) Matthew 5:27-28 & 32; 19:9 & 18; Mark 10:11-12 & 19; Luke 16:18; 18:20; John 8:3; Romans 2:22; 13:9; Galatians 5:19; James 2:11; Second Peter 2:14; Revelation 2:22.
COMMANDMENT 8) Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9.
COMMANDMENT 9) Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9; Colossians 3:9; Revelation 21:27.
COMMANDMENT 10) Romans 7:7; 13:9.