MADE WELL BY HIS COMMANDMENTS

When I wanted to get a license to drive in Chicago, I went to the DMV to get my “rules of the road” booklet. I took time to read and learn all the things contained therein. I passed the theoretical computer test but failed the first practice test. I felt disappointed that my examiner failed me because of what I considered a minor mistake or an oversight. He made me re-take the practice test. When I succeeded after a second attempt and started driving, I realized that my examiner was being good to me by insisting I follow the rules of the road without any compromise.  I imagined how safe we would be if all drivers abided by the rules of the road. Surely the rules may not be perfect, but they serve our collective good and safety in using the road. Laws and rules help give a sense of purpose and direction to life. This is one significance of human laws though imperfect as they appear to be. In contrast, God’s laws are perfect and just, giving a sense of direction to the ultimate goal of our existence. Obedience to his laws keeps us firmly in his eternal love and care.

Imagine a world without the Commandments of God. A world where one does whatever one wants, a world of might is right, and a world of “war of all against all” would be a disaster. Unfortunately, we see some people and nations try to live by these ungodly principles and the consequences are unbearable. The Decalogue is God’s gift to his people. Having made them his people, he gave them the law. It is not just a sense of direction about their lives but a symbol of their identity. To acknowledge the existence of and profess belief in God requires that we behave in a certain way if we are honest with ourselves. Love is central to the commandments of God. God, who is love, demands that his people love him in return. In loving him, they would learn to love their neighbor, indeed, the love of neighbor would later be indicative of the love of God. The Ten Commandments, therefore, reflect a commitment to loving God and one’s neighbor. The first three commandments deal with our relationship with God while the other seven focus on our relationship with our neighbor. Let us pay attention for a moment to the love of our neighbor and the prescription of the commandments about it.

When we reflect particularly on the prohibitions in the commandments, we notice immediately their implicit prescriptions which bring out the beauty and positivity of the commandments. The biblical commentator Anderson Garry correctly states that “the commandments are not a complete summary. If anything, they are a stenographer's shorthand. They need interpretation; they point beyond themselves to an ever-expanding revelation." For instance, thou shall not kill is a loving call to preserve life. In what ways do we strive to keep this commandment by preserving our lives and those of others? Does the preservation of our lives always or sometimes imply the tactical suppression and elimination of other lives? We may want to ponder on all that threatens the preservation of human life and our response to them. Again, “thou shall not commit adultery” is a call to respect the dignity of marriage. The relationship between God and his people is biblically portrayed in marital terms and infidelity (idolatry) entails the abandonment of God for other deities. Imagine what our homes and families would look like when marital partners were faithful to themselves. How great and noble marital love and fidelity would be rightly expressed. What habits can we develop to encourage and uphold marital fidelity? Furthermore, thou shall not steal is a call to preserve other people’s property. This commandment instructs us to earn what we have and not insincerely deprive people of their possessions. The remaining commandments are directed at preserving the integrity of one’s neighbor and warning us against covetousness. Human beings and their property must not be coveted. We are asked by these commandments to respect the good name of others and to practice self-control and contentment concerning people and their goods or property. In what ways have we been abusive of people and their property? Imagine when we are victims of this abuse and how we would feel. Do to others what you would want done to you.

God desires a better community for his people. If we want to live a meaningful and fulfilled life in this community, we must obey his commands. Beyond the potential goodness of our transient lives, obedience to his commands puts us on the path of an eternal relationship with God. The divine laws are the foundation of the ultimate happiness and joy of the people of God. When we take them seriously, our lives will be better and worth living but when we relegate them to the backgrounds, we only open the doors to misery, and sadness and risk losing our relationship with God. May his commandments guide our hearts and minds as we seek to please him. Indeed, “the law of the Lord is perfect… the decrees of the Lord give wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right; they gladden the heart” (Ps. 19).

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