Part II - The Leap
After we die we have to face what is called “the law of sin and death” (see Romans 8:2). Most people know that Law as “The Ten Commandments.” So let’s look at that Law and see how you will do when you face it on Judgment Day.
Have you loved God above all else? Is He first in your life? He should be. He’s given you your life and everything that is dear to you. Do you love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength? That’s the requirement of the First Commandment (See Mark 12:30). Most of us must admit that we have not succeeded in this for even an hour since we got up this morning.
Or have you broken the Second Commandment by making a god in your mind that you’re comfortable with—where you perhaps say, “My God isn’t a God of wrath, he’s a God of love and mercy?” That god does not exist; he’s a figment of the imagination. To create a god in your mind (your own image of God) is something the Bible calls “idolatry.” Idolaters will not enter Heaven.
Have you ever used God’s name in vain, as a cuss word to express disgust? That’s called “blasphemy,” and it’s very serious in God’s sight. This is breaking the Third Commandment, and the Bible says God will hold him guilty who takes His name in vain.
Have you always honored your parents implicitly, and kept the Sabbath holy? If not, you have broken the Fourth and Fifth Commandments.
Now, have you ever hated someone? The Sixth Commandment prohibits murder. But the Bible says, “Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer” (See 1 John 3:15). This is because hatred is the root cause of murder.
The Seventh is “You shall not commit adultery,” but Jesus said, “Everyone who looks at someone with lustful intent has already committed adultery with that person already in his heart” (See Matthew 5:27-28). You see, God knows your inner heart, and he is most concerned about this. And if we are honest, our heart convicts us. We are selfish, hateful, angry, malicious, and lustful at heart. Even our good deeds are often marred by some selfish motive. The Seventh Commandment also includes sex before marriage, which is called fornication. Have you ever looked with lust or had sex outside of marriage? If you have, you’ve violated this Commandment.
Ever stolen anything, regardless of value (Eighth Commandment)? If so, you are a thief. Stealing would include such things as downloading music illegally, cheating on your taxes or your employer, or short-changing someone you have dealt with, or even having given a customer a raw deal. This would also include stealing another person’s innocence or self-esteem. God is quite concerned about how you deal with people; in fact He expects you to go the extra mile with others!
Have you ever lied—literally to “bear false witness” (Ninth Commandment)? This would include speaking deceitfully or destructively against another person. The Bible tells us, “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord” (See Proverbs 12:22) because He is a God of truth and holiness.
Have you coveted (jealously desired) other people’s things? This is a violation of the Tenth Commandment.
Have you loved God above all else? Is He first in your life? He should be. He’s given you your life and everything that is dear to you. Do you love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength? That’s the requirement of the First Commandment (See Mark 12:30). Most of us must admit that we have not succeeded in this for even an hour since we got up this morning.
Or have you broken the Second Commandment by making a god in your mind that you’re comfortable with—where you perhaps say, “My God isn’t a God of wrath, he’s a God of love and mercy?” That god does not exist; he’s a figment of the imagination. To create a god in your mind (your own image of God) is something the Bible calls “idolatry.” Idolaters will not enter Heaven.
Have you ever used God’s name in vain, as a cuss word to express disgust? That’s called “blasphemy,” and it’s very serious in God’s sight. This is breaking the Third Commandment, and the Bible says God will hold him guilty who takes His name in vain.
Have you always honored your parents implicitly, and kept the Sabbath holy? If not, you have broken the Fourth and Fifth Commandments.
Now, have you ever hated someone? The Sixth Commandment prohibits murder. But the Bible says, “Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer” (See 1 John 3:15). This is because hatred is the root cause of murder.
The Seventh is “You shall not commit adultery,” but Jesus said, “Everyone who looks at someone with lustful intent has already committed adultery with that person already in his heart” (See Matthew 5:27-28). You see, God knows your inner heart, and he is most concerned about this. And if we are honest, our heart convicts us. We are selfish, hateful, angry, malicious, and lustful at heart. Even our good deeds are often marred by some selfish motive. The Seventh Commandment also includes sex before marriage, which is called fornication. Have you ever looked with lust or had sex outside of marriage? If you have, you’ve violated this Commandment.
Ever stolen anything, regardless of value (Eighth Commandment)? If so, you are a thief. Stealing would include such things as downloading music illegally, cheating on your taxes or your employer, or short-changing someone you have dealt with, or even having given a customer a raw deal. This would also include stealing another person’s innocence or self-esteem. God is quite concerned about how you deal with people; in fact He expects you to go the extra mile with others!
Have you ever lied—literally to “bear false witness” (Ninth Commandment)? This would include speaking deceitfully or destructively against another person. The Bible tells us, “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord” (See Proverbs 12:22) because He is a God of truth and holiness.
Have you coveted (jealously desired) other people’s things? This is a violation of the Tenth Commandment.
Actually, there are many other things that the Bible discusses as violations of God’s law. Even failing to do something we ought to have done separates us from God’s standard. And just like in a civil court of law, if we have broken even one law we are guilty (See James 2:10). God, by the way, does not grade on the curve. The more we look at ourselves honestly we confess that we have broken all of the Ten Commandments in thought, word, or deed. We must confess this prayer:
“Oh, Lord and most merciful father. I have erred and strayed from you ways like a lost sheep. I have too often followed the devices and desires of my own heart. I have sinned against your holy laws. I have left undone those things which I ought to have done. And I have done those things I ought not to have done. Lord please have mercy on my soul.”