The10 Commandments

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:1-22

Whenever I read or hear this verse, or hear a reference to The Ten Commandments, I often go to Jesus’ words, when the Pharisees ask which is the greatest Commandment. Jesus, as we all know, replies, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” As we enter Advent, it is important to my faith to solemnly remember that Jesus’ birth is God’s new covenant with us. A breaking of the curse of the fall. While woefully shy of obeying God’s Commandments, through the power of The Holy Spirit, I am forgiven of my sins through Jesus Christ. While we send and receive Christmas cards wishing Peace, Love, and Joy, these are ours to have by having a personal relationship with Jesus, not only for a brief season, rather for all the seasons of our lives. By having His love dwell in our hearts, we can love ourselves! If I do not love myself as Christ loves me, it does not do much good to love my neighbor to the same degree. For me, this is where it all starts. If I want to spread God’s love, people must sense and see that Christ dwells within me. When I consider all the divisiveness in the world, it starts with me, then with you, then we start to see Change. Unity. Peace. Joy. And the most important of all, the only way we can fulfill God’s will for us, for the world: Love.

Prayer:

As we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, and Your new covenant with and for us, may Love fill our hearts, and help us renew our covenant with You, so that we may truly be Your children, Your people, and be beacons of Your light upon the darkness in this world. I pray that through us people will come to know You, and Your steadfast love that endures forever, so that we may enter the Kingdom you have prepared for us. Amen.

About the Contributor:

Tres Cox is blessed to be the son of Eleanor Cox, the husband of Erika Cox, and the dad of Lily Dargis. He is humbled and honored to serve FPC Spartanburg as a Deacon and a member of the Wednesdays at First Committee.