7th and 8th commandments

Men and women were designed to be together and to need each other. Marriage is a natural union of a man and a woman and is divinely ordained and established by God at the creation. His laws and in particular the Seventh Commandment authorize the marriage relationship and establish it as the foundation of the family, which in turn stands as the foundation and most important building block of society.

God told our first parents that, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24. God's instruction clearly established what all future generations were supposed to learn regarding marriage and sex.

As children grow old enough to shoulder the responsibilities of a family and come to love and honour someone of the opposite sex, it is natural and proper for them to marry and be joined together and create their own family apart from their parents. Only then should they “become one flesh” by physically uniting in a sexual relationship. Jesus makes it clear that God from the very beginning intended that marriage be a monogamous and permanent relationship (Matthew 19:3-6).

Blessings with risks

God intended that marriage and sex in that order exist as tremendous blessings to humanity. Their potential for good is boundless. But the same desires that bring a man and a woman together into a loving, natural relationship, a godly blessing, can pose risks. Unless the natural desires that attract us to members of the opposite sex are channelled exclusively toward a loving marriage relationship, the temptation to engage in sexual immorality can easily overpower our self control. This weakness is the focus of the Seventh Commandment: “You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14\

Adultery is the violation of the marriage covenant by wilful participation in sexual activity with someone other than one's spouse. Since God's law sanctions sexual relationships only within a legitimate marriage, the command not to commit adultery covers in principle all varieties of sexual immorality. No sexual relationship of any sort should occur outside of marriage. That is the message of this Commandment. In much of the world sexual immorality is no longer regarded as a significant social evil. God however, categorically condemns all forms of sexual immorality (Revelation 21:8).

Our need for sexual direction

God gave us the Seventh Commandment to direct and define the sexual roles that bring lasting happiness and stability. Nothing is more desperately needed in this age. God created sex and it was His idea. Contrary to some long held opinions, He wants us to enjoy an abundantly pleasurable and stable sexual relationship within marriage. In that context, our sexuality endows us with the capacity to convey our appreciation, tenderness, devotion and love to our mate. It can add immeasurably to our sense of well being and contentment. The joy and confidence we derive from a proper marital relationship can positively affect our interaction with others, especially our own children. God wants the marital relationship strengthened and protected. He tells us in His Word: “Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life, and in your toil in which you have laboured under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:9

But of adultery God warns, “And why will you, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? 21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. 22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:20-22. Again concerning adultery we are warned, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 6:27-29. “Wound and dishonour shall he [the adulterer] get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.” Proverbs 6:33. Are these warnings nothing but unenlightened, outdated rhetoric? Don't believe it! Instead, consider the worldwide havoc wreaked by sex outside of marriage.

Theft is the ultimate assertion of the greedy, lustful way of life, one that emphasizes acquiring material and intangible things with no regard for the rights and feelings of others. It scorns conventions and boundaries established by society and God. It is the epitome of selfishness. The spiritual intent of the Commandment against stealing tells us where the battle against selfishness begins. It originates when we learn to appreciate the rights and needs of others.

The right to own property

The Eighth Commandment safeguards everyone's right to legitimately acquire and own property. God wants that right honoured and protected. His approach to material wealth is balanced. He wants us to prosper and enjoy physical blessings (3 John 1:2). He also expects us to show wisdom in how we use what He provides us. But He does not want possessions to be our primary pursuit in life (Matthew 6:25-33). When we see material blessings as a means to achieve more important objectives, God enjoys seeing us prosper.

To Him it is important that generosity rather than greed motivate the choices we make. Because they are qualities of His own character, He asks that from the heart we put giving and serving ahead of lavishing possessions on ourselves.

God loves cheerful givers

Jesus addressed this approach when He spoke of assisting the less fortunate with risky loans. “Give to every man that asketh of you; and of him that taketh away your goods ask them not again. 31 And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise … 34 And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Luke 6:30-35

Basing what comes next on what He has already told us about having a generous rather than a selfish heart, Jesus continued, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

God is willing to be our partner in serving others if we replace greed with a devotion to serving. He looks at the measure of the intensity of our commitment to that giving way of life. Paul expresses it clearly. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

God rejoices when He sees us, once our own needs are met, using any additional abundance in blessings to increase our usefulness and service to others. He then can know we are beginning to understand and follow His way of life.

Changing the heart of a thief

How does all of this relate directly to the command not to steal? Paul gives us the connection. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28

A thief must go far beyond simply ceasing his larceny to please God. Someone once wisely observed, “A thief who has quit stealing may still be a thief at heart—a thief just temporarily unemployed. He really ceases to be a thief only if and when he replaces stealing with giving.” A thief has to change his heart and outlook.

Other forms of stealing

Directly taking another's possessions is not the only way to steal. Con artists use sophisticated scams to swindle their victims. Deceptive advertisements do the same. Manufacturers who misleadingly advertise their products of substandard quality cheat their customers. Labourers who bill for more hours than they work or charge more than their services are worth are stealing from those who hire them. Then there are those who “borrow” but never return. Aren't they stealing? There are so many ways to take what is not ours that we must stay on our guard. We could be breaking God's Commandment against stealing without realizing what we are doing.

Employees who do not work although paid to do so are stealing from their employers. People who delight in consuming what others produce while refusing to carry their share of the labour and responsibility or their part in the production of goods and services engage in still another form of stealing. They siphon away what others produce but make little or no contribution themselves. They take and give little in return. Notice Jesus Christ's parable of the person who refuses to assume personal responsibility: “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:” Matthew 25:24-26

The man in this parable knew that his job was to produce for his master. But because of his own distorted outlook, he willingly chose to be unproductive. He knew the rules and responsibilities placed on him. He had no excuse for his slack behaviour. Jesus' parable continues, “You oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which has ten talents.” Matthew 25:27-28. The man's employer called him “wicked and lazy.” At heart he was no different from a thief. Therefore his boss gave his reward to another who had worked hard to benefit someone besides himself. Jesus used this parable to illustrate God's low opinion of self pity and selfishness.

Can we steal from God?

The Bible helps us recognize yet another form of stealing. From the time of Abraham (Genesis 14:20) forward, the Bible shows examples of how God's faithful servants formally acknowledged who really owns everything being of course God. They faithfully gave Him one tenth of their increase. In the covenant God made with ancient Israel, a tenth of the people's increase was set aside for the priests to finance their spiritual service to the nation. Needless to say, this practice of tithing (meaning giving a tenth) never became popular with most people. It required faith that God would amply supply their needs if they were a giving people.

How you detect light?

Vision begins when light rays are reflected off an object and enter the eyes through the cornea, the transparent outer covering of the eye. The cornea bends or refracts the rays that pass through a round hole called the pupil. The iris, or colored portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil, opens and closes (making the pupil bigger or smaller) to regulate the amount of light passing through. The light rays then pass through the lens, which actually changes shape so it can further bend the rays and focus them on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye that contains millions of tiny light-sensing nerve cells called rods and cones, which are named for their distinct shapes. Cones are concentrated in the center of the retina, in an area called the macula. In bright light conditions, cones provide clear, sharp central vision and detect colors and fine details. Rods are located outside the macula and extend all the way to the outer edge of the retina. They provide peripheral or side vision. Rods also allow the eyes to detect motion and help us see in dim light and at night. These cells in the retina convert the light into electrical impulses. The optic nerve sends these impulses to the brain where an image is produced.The cornea is a transparent structure found in the very front of the eye that helps to focus incoming light. Situated behind the pupil is a colorless, transparent structure called the crystalline lens. A clear fluid called the aqueous humor fills the space between the cornea and the iris.Rods work at very low levels of light. We use these for night vision because only a few bits of light (photons) can activate a rod. Rods don't help with color vision, which is why at night, we see everything in a gray scale. The human eye has over 100 million rod cells.

Cones require a lot more light and they are used to see color. We have three types of cones: blue, green, and red. The human eye only has about 6 million cones. Many of these are packed into the fovea, a small pit in the back of the eye that helps with the sharpness or detail of images.

Other animals have different numbers of each cell type. Animals that have to see in the dark have many more rods than humans have.Another benefit to this layout is that the RPE can absorb scattered light. This means that your vision is a lot clearer. Light can also have damaging effects, so this set up also helps protect your rods and cones from unnecessary damage.

While there are many other reasons having the discs close to the RPE is helpful, we will only mention one more. Think about someone who is running a marathon. In order to keep muscles in the body working, the runner needs to eat special nutrients or molecules during the race. Rods and cones are similar, but instead of running, they are constantly sending signals. This requires the movement of lots of molecules, which they need to replenish to keep working. Because the RPE is right next to the discs, they can easily help reload photoreceptor cells and discs with the molecules they need to keep sending signals.   

Now that we know how these photoreceptor cells work, how do we use them to see different colors?

We have three types of cones. If you look at the graph below, you can see each cone is able to detect a range of colors. Even though each cone is most sensitive to a specific color of light (where the line peaks), they also can detect other colors (shown by the stretch of each curve).

Since the three types of cones are commonly labeled by the color at which they are most sensitive (blue, green and red) you might think other colors are not possible. But it is the overlap of the cones and how the brain integrates the signals sent from them that allows us to see millions of colors. For example, the color yellow results from green and red cones being stimulated while the blue cones have no stimulation.

5th and 6th Commandment 

The Fifth Commandment introduces us to a series of Commandments that define proper relationships with other people. Six of the Commandments (the fifth through the 10th) serve as the standards of conduct in areas of human behaviour that generate the most far reaching consequences on individuals, families, groups and society. Our abuse and exploitation of each other is appalling. The intensity and magnitude of the violence among ourselves is inexcusable. We desperately need to reverse the horrifying results of our inability to get along with each other. We need to learn how to work together harmoniously in every area of life to build stable, loving and lasting relationships.

Establishing the rudimentary principles by which workable relationships can be built is the objective of the last six Commandments. They define with stark clarity the areas of behaviour in which human nature creates the biggest roadblocks to peace and cooperation. They provide us with the guidance we need to remove those roadblocks. The Fifth Commandment sets the tone for the last six. It addresses the importance of our learning to treat each other with respect and honour.Learning respect for others

Learning responsibility for our own conduct and character is the beginning of good relationships. Our character, which drives our conduct begins to form during our childhood. It is during our formative years that our attitudes governing our personal desires in relation to the desires and needs of others is shaped and moulded. That is the primary focus of the Fifth Commandment: the importance of learning to respect others while we are still children.The Fifth Commandment shows us from whom and how the fundamentals of respect and honour are most effectively learned. It guides us to know how to yield to others, how to properly submit to authority and how to accept the influence of mentors. That is why the apostle Paul wrote: “Honour your father and mother; (which is the first Commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3Learning to obey this Commandment helps children establish a lifetime pattern of respecting proper rules, traditions, principles and laws. Honouring others should be a normal, natural habit learned during youth. The universal application of this important biblical principle is plain. We read: “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” 1 Peter 2:17. It all begins with the respect and honour we show our parents.

The role of a parentGod places the primary responsibility for teaching children the basic principles of life directly on the shoulders of parents. The ability of mothers and fathers to succeed in this responsibility depends significantly on how much they in turn submit to God's instruction and teaching and show love and respect for Him. Remember, four Commandments that emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with God precede the Commandment to give honour to our parents. After all, God is our ultimate Parent. Notice how God challenged the spiritual leaders of ancient Israel: “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear?…” Malachi 1:6. As our Creator God is the Father of us all.

We who are parents should first think of ourselves as children as in the children of God. It is just as important for us to respect and obey our heavenly Father as it is for our children to respect and obey us. Only then is it possible for us to fully grasp our role as the spiritual leaders of our children. When we first honour and obey God, we set the proper example for our children. They can then develop habits of respect and obedience by observing our example and applying what they are taught. Children internalize beliefs and behaviours best if they see a strong continuity between the example and the instruction of their parents and teachers.The missing link in child-rearing God's instruction to parents makes this clear: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all thine heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sittest in thine house, and when you walkest by the way, and when you liest down, and when you risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7. The implication is clear: Only when we hold right principles in our hearts can we as parents successfully instil them in our children.Throughout the Bible, especially in the Proverbs, we find many instructions and principles about how we should treat and honour each other. We should regularly discuss these in our families and apply them to the real life situations our children face every day. These discussions should be interactive allowing the children to freely ask questions that we as parents should help them resolve using biblical principles as thoroughly and accurately as possible (Deuteronomy 6:20-21). It is by treating children with dignity and respect in an interactive process that they learn how they should treat others and why their attitudes and behaviour should reflect love and concern for them. Parents who assist their children in searching God's Word to verify the foundation of the family's values are teaching them how to rely on God's judgment instead of trusting their own emotions, whims and desires.Children and especially teenagers search for their own place in society. They need guidance, instruction and love and reassurance. Parents should not ridicule them. Paul cautions parents and especially fathers not to “provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4. Parents need to carefully combine a firm insistence that their children obey the rules of courtesy and respect with an abundance of patience and gentleness. This loving combination is the missing link in child rearing.Helping children establish their identity

Children need constant encouragement and frequent acknowledgment of their successes and achievements. Above all, they need plenty of love and praise to help them develop a strong personal identity that reflects a positive and hopeful outlook toward life. Keep in mind that children do not all respond to different types of praise in the same way. Some can better develop a positive outlook when praise focuses on them and on their abilities and areas of competence rather than on individual achievements. Praise focused heavily on accomplishments only such as grades in school may engender an unhealthy sense of insecurity. Some may perceive that they are acceptable only if they perform exceptionally and that they are loved only when their efforts are perfect. This type of praise may have the opposite effect from what was intended.

As parents, we should rejoice with our children in their achievements. We should share their successes. But we should be careful to direct our praise specifically toward them as individuals. We should tell them when we are pleased with them. This bolsters their confidence that it is possible for them to please us and God. They perceive themselves as being acceptable and appreciated. It gives them hope in their future and assurance in their own identity. They are then far more likely to have confidence in us as parents and return to us the praise and honour that fulfils the Fifth Commandment. It is their beginning of a proper and positive relationship with the rest of humanity and ultimately with God.

Honouring our parents as adults

Honouring our parents doesn't cease when we become adults. It is a lifetime commitment. As they get older this may include physically caring for them and, as necessary, helping financially support them. Jesus criticized those in His day who neglected making appropriate provisions for the care of their elderly parents. “And he said unto them, Full well you reject the Commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour your father and your mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But you say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever you mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And you suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you.” 

Honouring grandparents

We and our children should be sure we do not neglect honouring our grandparents. They have contributed significantly to our lives, and most grandparents cherish their grandchildren. We should find opportunities to spend time listening to and asking questions of our grandparents. Conversations with them are like treasures because they help us better understand and appreciate our origins. Grandparents love for their grandchildren to show interest in them. Children who honour and love their grandparents broaden their understanding of people and life.

Reaping the benefits

When Moses reviewed the Ten Commandments with the people of Israel, he commented on another blessing, in addition to long life, for keeping the Fifth Commandment: “Honour your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you; that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you, in the land which the LORD your God giveth you.” Deuteronomy 5:16

We the children are the beneficiaries when we honour our parents. This is the Commandment with the wonderful promise that life will go better for us if we simply obey it. Families are the building blocks of societies. Strong families build strong societies and nations. When families are fractured and flawed the sad results are tragic and reflected in newspaper headlines every day. Any individual or group, including whole nations that understands the importance of strong families reaps the reward of an improved relationship with and blessings from God.

What makes human life precious? Consider it from God's point of view. He made us in His own image for the purpose of creating in us His own character. For that reason He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Compare 1 Timothy 2:4 As Jesus Christ explained, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

In our world however, human life is so often treated with indifference. We settle our differences with war, killing hundreds of thousands of other people in the process. Criminals steal not only possessions but their victims' lives. So many people view an unwanted pregnancy as simply an inconvenience or an unexpected consequence of their sexual activity that millions of unborn babies are aborted every year.

What a sad contrast to our Creator who promises us the greatest gift possible, the opportunity to share eternal life with Him. The murder of the day is commonly the first topic featured on television news program, especially in larger cities. Many such slayings are committed by family members or formerly close associates or friends. Random killings from gang and street violence add to the climate of fear in many communities. Homicides linked to other crimes and drugs are all too common. Untold thousands around the world fall victim to mass murder in the name of politics and ideology. Murder touches the life of almost everyone on earth.

In supposedly advanced societies, television and motion pictures barrage citizens with murders and carnage. Violence is so inextricably woven into the fabric of society that we glamorize it in our literature and entertainment. It's ironic that in spite of our fascination with murder, we follow the example of most societies throughout history in passing strict laws against it. Few people indeed have ever needed to be convinced that murder within their own community was wrong. However, other challenges concerning the value and sanctity of human life tend to generate controversy, particularly the execution of criminals by the state. Is capital punishment the same as murder? And what does God say about war? Why did God allow ancient Israel to take human life in battles with other nations? Was that a violation of the Sixth Commandment?

The real issue

At the heart of these questions is this issue: Who possesses the authority to take human life? Who has the right to make that decision? The emphasis in the Sixth Commandment is on the word you. You shall not murder! You are not to deliberately kill premeditatedly or in the anger of the moment. We must control our tempers. Taking another person's life is not our right to decide. That judgment is reserved for God alone. That is the thrust of this Commandment. God does not allow us to choose to wilfully, deliberately take another person's life. The Sixth Commandment reminds us that God is the giver of life, and He alone has the authority to take it or to grant humans permission to take it.

The Sixth Commandment does not specifically apply to manslaughter, deaths caused accidentally through carelessness or other unintentional actions. Such deaths although serious occurrences are not considered by the laws of God or man to fall into the same category as premeditated murder.

Justice versus mercy

God's preference is for us to be merciful. He is especially merciful to anyone who repents. “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Ezekiel 33:11. That is how God thinks. That is the way He wants us to think. When her accusers brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, what was His reaction? Her accusers would have gladly stoned her to death had Jesus agreed to that punishment. Such was the penalty allowed by law for such an offence. But although He in no way condoned her sin, neither did He condemn her to death. Instead He commanded her to “go and sin no more.” John 8:11. He showed mercy and gave her the opportunity to reconsider how she was living and change her ways to avoid the judgment to come. Eventually we must all give account of ourselves before God. James warns us, “So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:12. God will eventually administer justice to all who refuse to repent.

God's mercy, His forgiveness remains available to sinners including murderers. God wants to extend forgiveness to us. But He also wants us to repent and to wholeheartedly forsake breaking His Commandments and turn to Him in sorrow and humility. We are then to ask for forgiveness and submit to the ordinance of baptism. Baptism serves as an act of confirmation that we consider the old self as dead and buried in a watery grave with Christ (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4).

The calling and conversion of the apostle Paul is a wonderful illustration of God's mercy and forgiveness. Paul had personally cast his vote for the execution of Christians before his conversion (Acts 26:10). Yet God forgave him, making him an example from that time forward of His great mercy. Paul tells us about himself: “…I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” 1 Timothy 1:13-16

What about capital punishment?

For certain offences, God's law permits constituted government authorities to impose capital punishment. When the state abides by God's principles, this action does not violate the Sixth Commandment. By giving us His laws, God has revealed His judgment on this matter. He has revealed in advance, which offences deserve the sentence of death and He has established strict parameters for such decisions. For example, a felon's guilt must be undeniably corroborated with solid evidence and or witnesses before he should be sentenced.

The apostle Paul reaffirms the state's authority to inflict capital punishment. “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Romans 13:3-4

Christian responsibility

Rather than abolishing the law, Jesus Christ showed its spiritual intent and application. He expanded the requirements of the law making them significantly more demanding. The Commandment against murder is an example. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:21-22

Christ amplified the meaning of murder to include bitter animosity, contempt or hateful hostility toward others. Merely harbouring malicious attitudes toward others violates the intent of the Sixth Commandment. Why? Because this is mental and emotional warfare, the desire to see a fellow human being suffer. Using words and speech to emotionally injure other people is equally wrong. With our tongues and pens we attack them verbally. We assault their feelings. We annihilate their respectability. We damage their reputations. At times we can be consumed with destructive intentions. Our motives can be diametrically the opposite of love. The spirit of murder can live in our hearts and Jesus tells us the consequences for such thoughts and actions could be our own death in the lake of fire. Yet we should not retaliate against those who resent or verbally attack us. Paul tells us: “Recompense to no man evil for evil… 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19. Even in times of war a Christian is expected to live by a higher standard than the world around him.

Overcoming evil with good

Paul instructs us on the proper approach to thoughts of retaliation, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21. This should be the approach of every believer in Jesus Christ. It is the way of love that fulfils the intent of the law of God. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus tells us, “for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9. How can we put this principle into practice? “You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…” Matthew 5:43-45

God wants us to go far beyond avoiding murder. He requires that we not maliciously harm another human being in word or deed. He desires that we treat even those who choose to hate us as respectfully as possible and do all within our power to live in peace and harmony with them. He wants us to be builders, not destroyers of good relationships. To accomplish this we must respect this wonderful gift of the precious possession of human life.

Light and Sight 

The objects that we see can be placed into one of two categories: luminous objects and illuminated objects. Luminous objects are objects that generate their own light. Illuminated objects are objects that are capable of reflecting light to our eyes. The sun is an example of a luminous object, while the moon is an illuminated object. During the day, the sun generates sufficient light to illuminate objects on Earth. The blue skies, the white clouds, the green grass, the colored leaves of fall, the neighbor's house, and the car approaching the intersection are all seen as a result of light from the sun (the luminous object) reflecting off the illuminated objects and traveling to our eyes. Without the light from the luminous objects, these illuminated objects would not be seen. During the evening when the Earth has rotated to a position where the light from the sun can no longer reach our part of the Earth (due to its inability to bend around the spherical shape of the Earth), objects on Earth appear black (or at least so dark that we could say they are nearly black). In the absence of a porch light or a street light, the neighbor's house can no longer be seen; the grass is no longer green, but rather black; the leaves on the trees are dark; and were it not for the headlights of the car, it would not be seen approaching the intersection. Without luminous objects generating light that propagates through space to illuminate non-luminous objects, those non-luminous objects cannot bee seen. Without light, there would be no sight.

A common Physics demonstration involves the directing of a laser beam across the room. With the room lights off, the laser is turned on and its beam is directed towards a plane mirror. The presence of the light beam cannot be detected as it travels towards the mirror. Furthermore, the light beam cannot be detected after reflecting off the mirror and traveling through the air towards a wall in the room. The only locations where the presence of the light beam can be detected are at the location where the light beam strikes the mirror and at the location where the light beam strikes a wall. At these two locations, a portion of the light in the beam is reflecting off the objects (the mirror and the wall) and traveling towards the students' eyes. And since the detection of objects is dependent upon light traveling from that object to the eye, these are the only two locations where one can detect the light beam. But in between the laser and the mirror, the light beam cannot be detected. There is nothing present in the region between the laser and the mirror that is capable of reflecting the light of the beam to students' eyes.

But then the phenomenal occurred. A mister is used to spray water into the air in the region where the light beam is moving. Small suspended droplets of water are capable of reflecting light from the beam to your eye. It is only due to the presence of the suspended water droplets that the light path from the laser to the mirror could be detected. When light from the laser (a luminous object) strikes the suspended water droplets (the illuminated object), the light is reflected to students' eyes. The path of the light beam can now be seen. With light, there can be sight. But without light, there would be no sight.

None of us generate light in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. We are not brilliant objects (please take no offense) like the sun; rather, we are illuminated objects like the moon. We make our presence visibly known by reflecting light to the eyes of those who look our way. It is only by reflection that we, as well as most of the other objects in our physical world, can be seen. And if reflected light is so essential to sight, then the very nature of light reflection is a worthy topic of study among students of physics. And in this lesson and the several that follow, we will undertake a study of the way light reflects off objects and travels to our eyes in order to allow us to view them.

convex mirrors and ray diagram 

A ray travelling parallel to the principal axis virtually emanates from the virtual focal point after reflection by the mirror. To draw the reflected ray you have to put your ruler on the principal focus on the far side of the mirror and the point where the ray hits the mirror. Draw a dashed line from the virtual focus point to the mirror edge and then a solid line for the reflected ray.

A ray that aims at the virtual centre of curvature of the mirror is reflected back along its own path. Put your ruler on the object point and at C (or 2F) on the far side of the mirror. Draw a dashed line from C to the mirror and then a solid line to represent the ray that gets reflected back along its own path.

A ray that aims at the virtual focal point as it goes towards the mirror will be reflected back along a path parallel to the principal axis Put your ruler on the object point and the far focal point. Draw a solid line to represent the incident ray from the object point to the mirror and then a dotted line to the focus. Now draw a reflected ray that goes from the point your incident ray hit the mirror parallel to the principal axis. Continue that with a dashed line on the far side of the mirror.

Convex traffic safety mirrors are designed to assist road safety and can help eliminate blind spots at corners, concealed entrances and exits, car parks and junctions.

Ceiling dome mirrors are Ideal for surveillance in shops, offices and industrial environments.They allow someone to watch what is going on in a wide area and allow shopkepers to spot theives and vandals.

Cab front rear-view mirrors can be used to prevent forklift truck accidents. The panoramic view significantly reduces blind spots at the rear of the vehicle. The driver can see at a glance, and without excessive movement any obstacles as he/she reverses

Portable inspection mirrors can be used for security and safety purposes. They are widely used by security firms and the miltary.

The Third and Fourth Commandments 

The use of God's name in a degrading or in any way disrespectful manner expresses an attitude of disdaining the relationship we are supposed to have with Him. Having a relationship with God demands that we represent Him accurately, sincerely and respectfully.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

The Third Commandment focuses on showing respect. It addresses the way we communicate our feelings about God to others and to Him. It encompasses our attitudes, speech and behaviour.

Respect is the cornerstone of good relationships. The quality of our relationship with God depends on the love and regard we have for Him. It also depends on the way we express respect for Him in the presence of others. We are expected always to honour who and what He is. Conversely, the use of God's name in a flippant, degrading or in any way disrespectful manner expresses an attitude of disdaining the relationship we are supposed to have with Him. This can vary from careless disregard to hostility and antagonism. It covers misusing God's name in any way.

The New Revised Standard Version translates the Third Commandment: “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.” The meaning of the Hebrew word saw, translated “wrongfully use” and “misuse,”—“in vain” in other translations is “deceit; deception; malice; falsity; vanity; emptiness” (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, “Deceit”).

Respecting God and His name

Let's consider a few of the ways we should be associated with God's name. God created us in His image with an opportunity to become His children. Those who receive the Spirit of God are members of the Church of God. The laws of God define for us right standards and values, and our hope lies in being a part of the Kingdom of God. Everything important to us is a gift of God, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” Acts 17:28

Notice how forcefully the book of Psalms expresses respect toward God. “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honour and majesty.” Psalms 104:1. “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” Psalms 33:8

King David wrote, “I will extol you, my God, O king; and I will bless your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless you; and I will praise your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psalms 145:1-3

Profanity and slang

Probably the most obvious way of breaking the Third Commandment is through the use of profanity using God's name in abusive, vulgar and irreverent slang and jargon. The defiling of the name of God or that of His Son, Jesus Christ is nearly universal. Since the dawn of history, most of mankind has never shown the respect to God that He deserves.

Profanity is not the only way we can abuse God's name. Anyone who carelessly uses the name of God or Christ in his everyday speech simply doesn't know God as he should. Yet strangely enough, he may think and insist that he does. In some ways such a person is similar to Job who explained his perspective of God both before and after God pointed out to him how pride was motivating much of his thinking. “I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth you,” confessed Job, “but now my eye sees You.” Job 42:5. Job finally realized that he had not known God as well as he had thought.

Many who have heard much about God carelessly assume they know Him and that they have an acceptable relationship with Him. Yet they have never learned really to respect Him. They demean and degrade Him by flippantly using His name in everyday conversation. They unwittingly announce to all who hear them that respect for God is simply not important to them, even though they may believe He exists. No matter how indifferently one may regard this kind of disrespect for God, the Third Commandment makes it clear that God Himself does not take it lightly, “for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Misusing His name in any way spiritually defiles us in the eyes of God.

Most of us have at times expressed disrespect for God. Like Job, we probably have had to or still need to re-evaluate our own attitudes toward our Creator. Once Job grasped his irreverent attitude, He saw himself in a realistic light. “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:6. In the same way, we need to repent of attitudes that would lead to irreverence. We need to guard our speech and treat God's name with respect.

Jesus Christ fully reveals God to us

God so desired that we understand what He is like, especially His nature or character, that He sent Jesus Christ as the perfect example of all that He is. “He that has seen me has seen the Father,” said Jesus (John 14:9). He came as “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” Hebrews 1:3. By revealing to us through His own example what His heavenly Father is like and what He expects of us, Jesus Christ has opened to us the way to eternal life (John 17:1-3). “Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Notice how completely Jesus reflected the glory of God. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:19-20

The importance of Christ's name

Jesus Christ's name significantly means “Saviour.” Christ means “anointed [one],” the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. As the Son of God, Jesus Christ is both our Saviour and King. Only through Him can we receive salvation. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. The name of Jesus Christ is crucial to our salvation, but simply repeatedly saying His name without understanding its significance and allowing it to influence our lives is meaningless. Paul explained to Timothy, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Those who repent of their sins and are baptized in the name of Christ receive the Holy Spirit and become Christians; they become Christlike (Acts 2:38). And Paul tells them, “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17. In other words, whatever they do is to be done according to the approval, authority or authorization of Jesus Christ in His name. Using His name however, in any manner that would bring reproach, disrespect or shame on that name is a sin and violates the Third Commandment.

Honouring God by our example

Because those who follow Jesus Christ are known by His name and perform their service to God in His name. Their behaviour always either honours or dishonours Him. God's Word portrays those who obey His Commandments as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Matthew 5:13-14, 18. They represent Him and what He stands for before all of humanity. They carry His name as “His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14 NKJV. They should bring honour to His name by their example.

Moses explained this point to the people of ancient Israel: “But you that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. 5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do so in the land whither you go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who has God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” Deuteronomy 4:5-7. Moses wanted their conduct to so honour God that all nations would gain respect for Him.

Examples that dishonour God

Ancient Israel however, was a failure in honouring God. The Israelites finally brought so much shame upon God's name that He allowed their enemies to remove them from their land as prisoners and captives. But He promised to later bring back their descendants and restore them as a nation for the purpose of reclaiming the honour to His name. He says, “I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the heathen, whither you went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” Ezekiel 36:21-23

How will this happen? God will once again give the descendants of Jacob the responsibility of bringing honour to His name. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:2-4. At that time the earth's inhabitants will understand the reality of the true God and honour His name.

Blaspheming God by our conduct

The apostle Paul explains that people who hypocritically call themselves by God's name and portray themselves as His people while refusing to obey Him actually blaspheme His name. Speaking to some of his countrymen he says, “You therefore which teachest another, teachest you not thyself? you that preachest a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You that sayest a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? you that abhorrest idols, do you commit sacrilege? 23 You that makest your boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest you God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you…” Romans 2:21-24

Paul explains that even some who regard themselves as Christians can disgrace God's name by their conduct. “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” 1 Timothy 6:1. Our conduct should be above reproach. Paul explains that Christians are “ambassadors for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:20), His personal, designated representatives. Discourteous or disrespectful conduct by those who represent themselves as God's servants dishonours Him in the eyes of others. It reproaches the name of God, which they claim to bear.

Jesus condemns religious duplicity

Jesus Christ assailed those who would practice religious duplicity. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Matthew 23:27-28

People are usually quite comfortable with giving accolades to God as long as they can pursue their own point of view and way of life. But God's complaint throughout history has been that most people do not have their hearts in honouring Him. Jesus said, “You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the Commandments of men.” Matthew 15:7-9. He also said, “And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

How we should honour God

God desires far more than lip service. He wants a relationship with us that stems from the heart. Jesus tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45

In the end, it is not enough just to avoid misusing God's name. God wants us to love and respect Him. Honouring Him begins in our thoughts. We must know who and what He is. We must know what He requires of us and why. We should admire His wisdom, love, fairness and justice. We need to stand in awe of His power and recognize that our existence depends on His goodness. Then we should talk to Him in prayer every day. We should follow the admonitions in the Psalms to give Him thanks and praise Him, openly expressing our appreciation for all that He gives us. We should acknowledge His greatness. We should ask Him to create in us His way of thinking and character. We should request the power of His Spirit to enable us to wholeheartedly obey and serve Him.

We honour God most of all by loving Him so much that we desire above all things to be like Him and to accurately represent Him to everyone who sees or knows us. If that is the mind in us, even the thought of ever misrepresenting or disgracing His name will repulse us. Our strongest resolve will be never to knowingly take any of God's names in vain!

The Fourth Commandment to remember the the Sabbath day concludes the section of the Ten Commandments that specifically helps define a proper relationship with God and how we are to love, worship and relate to Him. It explains why and when we need to take special time to draw closer to our Creator.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shall you labour, and do all your work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11

Why is setting apart one day a week so important that God included it as one of His Ten Commandments? The Sabbath, the seventh day of the week was set apart by God as a time of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. On our calendar the Sabbath begins at sunset Friday evening and ends at sunset Saturday evening. Of course, someone will immediately ask: Why the seventh day? How can our relationship with God benefit any more from observing that particular day than any other day? After all, Friday night and Saturday bustle with all sorts of sports, business and other secular activities. Why should we be different? Isn't this a symbolic Commandment, one never meant to be taken literally, and didn't Jesus Christ ignore this Commandment leaving us free from the burden of keeping it?

These questions represent some of the most widely assumed and long held beliefs about the Fourth Commandment. But God's Commandment is simple and easy to understand. So why is this Commandment so frequently ignored, attacked and explained away by so many? Could it be because the challenges to the Sabbath Commandment are views generated by the god of this present evil world? After all, this being wants us to accept these views because he hates God's law. He does all he can to influence us to ignore, avoid and reason our way around it. Few grasp the extent of society's indoctrination by Satan. As the real “god of this age.” (2 Corinthians 4:4), he has deceived most of humankind (Revelation 12:9). The whole world falls prey to his influence (1 John 5:19). His objective has always been to destroy the relationship between the true God and humanity. He wants nothing more than to thwart people from developing a loving, personal relationship with their Creator, which is the purpose of the Fourth Commandment. He wants to prevent us from reaching our incredible destiny in God's family!

Jesus and His apostles kept the Sabbath

What does Christ's personal example teach us about the Sabbath? “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16. Jesus used the Sabbath for its intended purpose: to help people develop a personal relationship with their Creator.

After His death, we see that Christ's apostles followed His example in their observance of the Sabbath day. “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” Acts 17:2. “And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Acts 18:4

Today however, most people who profess to follow Christ do not follow the example set by Him and His apostles. Most fail to realize that the wholesale rejection of the Sabbath as the Christian day of worship did not start until almost 300 years after Christ's ministry on earth. The official substitution of Sunday for the Sabbath was orchestrated by the Roman emperor Constantine who made Christianity the official state religion to secure political advantage over a defeated contender for the office of emperor. His rival supported a policy of persecuting and killing Christians. Constantine was quick to grasp the political advantage of accepting and supporting Christians but that acceptance came with a price: state control over all religious matters. Nowhere in the Bible does either the Father or Jesus Christ ever grant permission to change the time of the Sabbath from the seventh day to Sunday, the first day of the week. No human being, institution or state has ever had the right to tamper with what God has made sacred. See also the origin of Babylon and Sun worship and did Constantine change the Sabbath to Sunday.

The Sabbath and a godly relationship

The Sabbath is vital to our relationship with God because it shapes the way we perceive and worship Him. We should remember the Sabbath by formally worshiping God on that day. Otherwise, we forfeit that special understanding that God wants to develop in us by worshiping Him on that day. It is by ceasing our normal labour and activities that we are reminded of an essential lesson every week. After six days of fashioning this beautiful earth and everything in it, our Creator ceased moulding the physical part of His creation and rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-3).

The Sabbath is a special day to concentrate on developing our spiritual relationship with God. Although it is a day of rest from our normal routines and we do need even physical rejuvenation, it is not a day for doing nothing as some assume. On the contrary, the Sabbath is a special day on which we dramatically change the focus of our activity. God intended that it be a delightful period during which we busily draw closer to Him. God said through the pen of Isaiah, “If you turn away your foot from the sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shall honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shall you delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.” Isaiah 58:13-14

Indeed to “delight yourself in the LORD” is the reason we should cease for the 24 hours of the Sabbath, the labour and normal activities that consume our time the other six days of the week. Relationships take time. Every successful association demands time. No close relationship can succeed without it, no courtship, no marriage, no friendship. Our relationship with God is no exception. God however, wants us to take special time to worship Him. That is what only the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week can provide.

The Hebrew word for Sabbath, shabbath, means “to cease, to pause or take an intermission.” On the Sabbath we are to take the day off from our regular activities and devote our time and attention to our Creator. Why? Because “in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:11. The Sabbath in a different way from any other Commandment keeps us in touch with how real God is as our Creator.

A world without knowledge of the true God

Look at the world around us. The theory of evolution that the world and everything in it developed from nothing dominates the thinking of the most highly educated. Most scholars scoff at the idea that the creation requires a thoughtful, purposeful, almighty Creator. Even many professing Christian scholars accept this point of view. Observance of the seventh day Sabbath, however, keeps those who faithfully obey the Ten Commandments in constant remembrance that their faith is founded on the existence of a very real Creator.

We read, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3. That faith is nothing less than an unshakable confidence that the Bible was inspired by the Spirit of God and accurately reveals how the world and humankind came into existence.

God reveals few details about how He created the universe, only that He did create it. Observing the Sabbath brings that fact to the forefront of our minds every week. God does not want us to lose this understanding. He knows that everyone who neglects this knowledge loses sight of who and what He is. That is how crucial this knowledge is. That is also why the weekly observance of the Sabbath is so important to our relationship with our Maker. It keeps us in constant remembrance that we worship the Creator of the universe.

A continuing creation

The Sabbath is not simply a reminder of a past creation. God finished the physical part of His creation in six days. However, the spiritual part is still under way. The Sabbath is the primary day on which that spiritual creation, the creation of the new person in Christ takes place. As the apostle Paul tells us: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

The new spiritual creation is internal in the heart and character of each person. It begins when “you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24. This “new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Colossians 3:10

Spiritual character cannot come solely by our own will. The “old man” will inevitably succumb to the weaknesses and pulls of human nature. Paul sums up this struggle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:18-19. God Himself creates holy and righteous spiritual character in us. He reshapes our thinking and gives us the will and the power to resist our nature. Paul confirms this, telling us that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

The day of renewal

Do you grasp how important this is? If we are in Christ, our heavenly Father is creating in us His own character, His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The weekly time He has set perpetually apart to remind us that He is the Creator is the same weekly period during which He instructs us as He moulds us into a new creation. God's Word calls us “newborn babes” and says that we should “desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2. The Sabbath is the time God has set aside for us to grow closer to Him through study of His Word, personal prayer and group instruction. He has sanctified it and set it apart as holy time (Genesis 2:1-3). We should use it to delight ourselves in Him by diligently seeking His participation in our spiritual development (Isaiah 58:14).

The Sabbath is the day on which Christ's disciples should be growing closer to each other. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25. The Sabbath is the only day on which God ever commands a weekly assembly. “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.” Leviticus 23:3

The internal evidence of the New Testament shows that Christ's apostles and their converts continued to assemble on the seventh day, the Sabbath. They observed the day, however, with a renewed emphasis on the “new” person God is in the process of creating. The relationship of the seventh day to their lives grew in its importance to them. The book of Hebrews confirms that the followers of Christ and the apostles kept the Sabbath, affirming that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9 NASB

Yes, Jesus and His apostles consistently obeyed God's Commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. They kept the seventh day as the Sabbath just as their fellow Jews and Gentiles of that time did. God's Commandment to us remains “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8. We desperately need to take time to grow close to our Creator. He tells us how much special time we need to set aside for our relationship with Him and when to take it. We have to decide whether we trust His judgment and are willing to obey His Sabbath Commandment.

The gift of God's Law

God's law offers direction, not justification. It's in the Bible, Galatian. "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified"Is it necessary to keep all of the commandments? It's in the Bible, James. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker."

God's law gives direction, wisdom, and joy to our lives. It's in the Bible, Psalm. "How can a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

\Jesus' view of Scripture did not simply accommodate his culture, a fact that has implications for the view of Scripture Jesus' followers should hold. Here Jesus responds to false charges that he and his followers undermine the law. First, when Jesus says that he came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them, he uses terms that in his culture would have conveyed his faithfulness to the Scriptures.

Second, Jesus illustrates the eternality of God's law with a popular story line from contemporary Jewish teachers. Jesus' smallest letter, or "jot", undoubtedly refers to the Hebrew letter yod, which Jewish teachers said would not pass from the law. They said that when Sarai's name was changed to Sarah, the yod removed from her name cried out from one generation to another, protesting its removal from Scripture, until finally, when Moses changed Oshea's name to Joshua, the yod was returned to Scripture. "So you see," the teachers would say, "not even this smallest letter can pass from the Bible." Jesus makes the same point from this tradition that later rabbis did: even the smallest details of God's law are essential.

Jesus here provides a graphic example of the law's authority. Jewish teachers typically depicted various persons as "greatest" before God; the emphasis was not on numerical precision but on praising worthy people. When Jesus speaks of the least of these commandments, he also reflects Jewish legal language. Jewish teachers regularly distinguished "light" and "heavy" commandments and in fact determined which commandments were the "least" and "greatest." Noting that both the "greatest" commandment about honoring parents and the "least" commandment about the bird's nest included the same promise, "Do this and you will live," later rabbis decided that "live" meant "in the world to come" and concluded that God would reward equally for obedience of any commandment. One who kept the law regulating the bird's nest merited eternal life, whereas one who broke it merited damnation. In the same way, those who merely honored the highest standards of their religion would fall short of entering the kingdom at all.

Other sages used such language to grab attention and emphasize the importance of the law. But like Jesus, they did not want anyone to miss the point: God has not given us the right to pick and choose among his commandments. As some teachers put it, one should be as "careful with regard to a light commandment as you would be with a heavy one, since you do not know the allotment of the reward". The sages were not suggesting that they never broke commandments, but rather believed that one who cast off any commandment or principle of the law was discarding the authority of the law as a whole.

Jesus concurs: God does not allow us the right to say, "I will obey his teaching about murder but not his teaching about adultery or fornication"; or, "I will obey his teaching about theft but not about divorce." To refuse his right to rule any of our ethics or behavior is to deny his lordship.

In this passage Jesus also warns that teachers who undermine students' faith in any portion of the Bible are in trouble with God. This text addresses not only obedience to the commandments but also how one teaches others. I have occasionally taught alongside colleagues who actively sought to undermine students' faith in the name of "critical thinking"; sometimes they succeeded. Critical thinking is important, but it functions best with the firm foundation of the fear of God."