JUL 11

Matthew 5:21-48
Memorise Matthew 5:22
“Be ye therefore perfect…”

Now that we have seen some history concerning the 10 Commandments, let us take a deeper look into the commandments themselves and ask how we ought to interpret them. If you just give a cursory glance through them, they just seem like a simple list of rules, of 8 things that we should not do, and another 2 things that we should. In fact, if you think about it, if taken at face value alone, they do not seem too difficult to follow. After all, on a daily basis, we probably would not be found committing the actual acts of stealing, killing, committing adultery, lying, etc. But yet with such huge emphasis placed on these commandments, surely they cover a much broader range of applications than just what is prohibited.

We realize then that each commandment covers a ‘family’ of sins. Especially as you read through Jesus’ teachings concerning some of the commandments, you would begin to notice a pattern as to how they ought to be interpreted. For example, it is not enough to not kill, but having any unrighteous anger or hatred in a person’s heart is enough to break the 6th commandment. Instead, one is to love his/her enemies and pray for them.

The answer to the Westminster Larger Catechism Question 99 gives us a good understanding as to how we should rightly interpret the 10 Commandments:

1. That the law is perfect, and binds everyone to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience forever; so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least degree of every sin.
2. That it is spiritual, and so reaches the understanding, will, affections and all other powers of the soul; as well as words, works and gestures.
3. Where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is forbidden; and where a sin is forbidden, the contrary duty is commanded: so, where a promise is annexed, the contrary threatening is included; and, where a threatening is annexed, the contrary promise is included.

Thought: Each commandment covers a family of sins, and must be carefully and rightly interpreted.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to be content with just a superficial under­standing and keeping of Thy commandments, but to seek to obey them in their entirety.