The Ten Commandments

There is a lot of confusion about the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God. Many people believe that they must follow the Law so that they can go to Heaven, but the Bible does not say that!!!

1 Tim. 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

The Ten Commandments are good if you use them the right way, but some people use them the wrong way. God never intended for us to keep them in an effort to go to Heaven. So why were the Commandments given???

1. The Commandments show our SIN - Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. The Commandments were given to show us that we are sinners. 1 Tim. 1:9a Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, ...... The Commandments do not take away our sin, they show us our sin!!!
2. The Commandments show our SUFFERING - Gal. 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. There is a curse on all people who have not kept the Commandments. What is that curse? Spiritual death is the curse! Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ezek. 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. The fact is, all have sinned and all have broken these Commandments. There is not one person alive that has kept all of the Commandments. All men are under the curse of death in Hell for breaking God's Commandments. Trying to follow the Commandments does not remove the guilt and does not remove the curse. The Commandments give us no hope.
3. The Commandments show our STUMBLING - Many people believe that if they try to keep the Commandments, God might have mercy on them and forgive them. This is never taught in the Bible. The opposite is taught. In fact, there are two things that the Law cannot do. a) The Law cannot forgive sin - Gal. 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Justified is another word for forgiveness. God says no person can be forgiven by the Commandments. Gal. 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. b) The Law cannot give righteousness. We know that we cannot go to Heaven unless we are righteous. Some hope to be become righteous by trying to keep the Law. God warns us of this error. Gal. 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. If you think that you can become righteous by following the Commandments, you are replacing Christ's work on the cross with your works! Only Jesus can make you righteous, not your works! Maybe you are trusting the wrong thing. You need to change your mind and trust Christ instead of the Ten Commandments. Jesus cannot help you as long as you are trusting the Law. Gal. 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
4. The Commandments show us the SAVIOUR - We just stated that the Law cannot forgive sins and it cannot give righteousness. The good news is that Jesus can! The most important lesson of the Law is that we are sinners and need Jesus to forgive us. Gal. 3:24-25 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. The Law is only a teacher. It shows us our need of Jesus. We cannot earn forgiveness for our sins, but He can give us forgiveness as a free gift. Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. If you receive Jesus today, He will give you eternal life. If you try to earn Heaven by doing the good works of the Commandments, you cannot go. Salvation is a gift, not a debt. Rom. 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; If you receive Jesus, you will have "his righteous for the remission (forgiveness) of sins." Jesus gives forgiveness and righteousness. The Commandments cannot do that. Which do you want to trust for your salvation???

You cannot go to Heaven if you trust the wrong thing. If you have been trusting the Commandments, you are not saved. Will you repent right now and trust only Jesus for your salvation???