Rules to Live By

Do people still learn and observe the Ten Commandments?  Do they even know what they are?

How shall a young man cleanse his way? By keeping to your words. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commandments. I treasure your promise in my heart, that I may not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; instruct me in your statutes. With my lips will I recite all the judgments of your mouth. I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees than in all manner of riches. I will meditate on your commandments and give attention to your ways. My delight is in your statutes; I will not forget your word. - Psalm 119:9-16

When I was young, I had to learn them and be able to recite them.  They were considered universal laws, on which all our laws are based. 

Priests and Nuns spoke of them with respect and we were taught to fear God if we broke any of them.

We were afraid of the punishment for eternity breaking God's Commandments would bring upon us.

But somewhere along the line, they became less important. 

First we stopped talking about the eternal damnation and instead spoke of God's mercy and forgiveness.  We all make mistakes, and we will all be saved from Hell.

We sought and found exceptions to the strict laws we had memorized, by redefining the meaning of the words we found too restrictive to live with, like Murder and Adultry and Steal and Covet and Honor.

We don't share the same belief in these Laws of God anymore, and so we can find no common ground, no solid foundation on which to stand to help us determine right from wrong, and all the degrees of uncertainty between them.

We have replaced our fear of breaking God's Commandments with a passion for our own personal rights, to do as we please, to be central in our world, and leave God to the fringes.

Here is a short form of the Commandments that I find easy to remember:

Have no other Gods. 

Have no idols.

Don't swear in God's name.

Give yourself rest.

Honor your parents.

Don't murder.

Don't commit adultery.

Don't steal.

Don't falsely accuse others.

Don't want what others have.

For me, they represent a litmus test for everything I do.  Can I look at what I am about to do or say and after running it up against these, know that I am not in violation of any of them?

If so, I am OK to go.

If not, I wind up with two choices.  Either I stop and change course, or I find a way to rationalize away the conflict.

When I do the latter, I am left with the burden of guilt and shame.

Who needs that?

More to come...