Friday, March 5, 2021

Greatest Commandments

Photo by Pr.Judy

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."
                                                                              (Exodus 20:12-17 KJV)

When I have asked confirmands which sin is the worst sin they inevitably respond murder. But, in reality any breaking of the law can destroy others. If it does not end in a physical death, it can still break a persons spirit.  How, I've been asked is committing adultery as deadly as killing someone. Again, it can certainly kill a person's will to go on living. From adulterous relationships have also come many suicides and murders. Consider the damage that breaking the commandments regarding your relationships with others can truly cause. Consider how you would react if these things were done to you. Would you not be hurt? Would you not be harmed by the actions of others against you?

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)

Jesus tells us the Ten Commandments are all about loving God as well as all of our neighbors. We are to do no harm to others in any way.  Rather, than harm we are to help and support others. 

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 
                                                                               (Matt 22:36-40)

Do no harm. Love your neighbors. "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor 13:11)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

No comments: