As I travel around the country, I am amazed at the number of people who I talk to that are genuinely striving to keep the 10 commandments apart from Christ.  Though they have heard the gospel and received its truth, they have run back to a law-keeping mindset and have convinced themselves if they work hard enough they can do it. 

To me, this is like buying a brand new sports car and taking the tires and rims off and trying to push it by ourselves wherever we go.  Those that are stronger may get it to rock back and forth a little but quickly find out it’s not going anywhere.  We need something else.  Without wheels there’s no movement. Without Jesus there’s no power to move and grow spiritually. 

The 10 commandments were designed to point out our sin and ultimately our need of a Savior.  We cannot reduce the Christian life to 10 rules to follow.  We will fail and it will again reveal that we need a Savior.   The law brings bondage because it points out our sin and our inability to keep it.  Jesus brings freedom as He satisfied the law fully with His finished work at the cross.  

The ironic part is that when our desire is to seek to know Jesus and walk with Him, the end result is obedience.  Yet when our desire is to keep the 10 commandments, our eyes wander from Christ and the result is disobedience.  

Personal Reflection

Where are you at this morning with your relationship with God?  Are you trying to keep the 10 to show Him you’re good? Or are you seeking to know Him and follow Him?  Don’t just answer this question without thinking.  Look for evidence in your life that confirms what you believe to be true about your relationship.  Confess where necessary and redirect your attention to knowing and following Christ.

Prayer Focus

Gracious Father, we confess that we struggle with our flesh in this area.  We know that It requires less sacrifice to just try to keep some rules rather than surrender to you.  We praise you for your perfect plan to mature us and draw us to you.  Pierce our hearts with your truth and give us a desire above all else to know and follow you.  Let your love for us cause us to love you more than anything within our grasp.  Thank you for truly setting us free in Christ, Amen!