Wednesday Thought – August 5, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet … anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:12-17)

Some people think it unfair that their relationship with God has implications on their relationships with other people. It would be easier if we just had to focus on being right with God and could ignore whatever problems existed between us and those around us. A relationship with God doesn’t work that way. The last six of the Ten Commandments teach that God is concerned about human relationships, too!

When Jesus was asked to choose the greatest commandment He couldn’t mention just one. He said the greatest commandment is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” (Matthew 22:38) Our relationship with God does come first, just like it came

first in the Ten Commandments. Immediately after mentioning that commandment, Jesus added another. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) All is not right if you are right with God and wrong with people!

God wants to see right relationships within families. He cares about how you treat your parents. He cares about how you treat your spouse.

God expects that the relationship you have with Him will impact how you treat others. “Do not murder, steal, lie, or covet.” Love your neighbor and do what is best for them. In our relationships with other people we are not to take advantage of them or use them for our benefit. We are to sacrifice for them and support them. The focus is on meeting their needs, not on making sure they meet ours.

All of the Ten Commandments are about relationships. Relationships are the most important aspect of life. God wants us in right relationship with Him. He wants that so badly that He gave His own Son to make that possible. And God wants us in right relationship with those around us. Our healed relationship with Him should also bring healing to our relationships with others.

His, by Grace, Steve