The Ten Commandments - Deuteronomy 5

Deuteronomy 5 is a recollection of the giving of the Ten Commandments to the people that were brought out of slavery in Egypt. Moses emphasized in 5:3 that the covenant is a new one, not with their forefathers, but with them that were alive! It was to be their branding showing how they were different from the others. I have written a few posts related to the Ten Commandments. For a more in-depth study, see the following:

1. The Branding of Believers - The Ten Commandments
2. Principles & Insights from the Ten Commandments
3. A Relook at the Ten Commandments
4. "Honoring Your Parents" - The Bible Honors Your Cultures

The most important thing for believers is that the Ten-Commandments are not outdated but are still applicable. They are minimum standards for us to follow as testimony to others but not as the criteria for the salvation. Christ saved us that we may be empowered to live a life that supersedes the requirements of the commandments to bring glory to God, our Father.

So we can say that the Ten Commandments are the litmus test for a true believer.  The best state for a believer is that he/she is so filled with God awareness that he/she walk rightly before God. The challenging state is a believer still struggling with bad habits or addictions. The struggle is an indication of knowing and wanting to do right. He needs to be enlightened and empowered with grace and the Holy Spirit for victory. He that doesn't even bother and continue in sin may not be a true believer.

◄ 1 John 3:9 ► No one who is born of God will continue to sin because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning because they have been born of God.

Lim Liat (c) 10 March 2017