The Christian walk with God the Father, made possible due to Jesus’ death on the cross, is a love relationship resulting in Christ-like character and ways.
“true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (Jn. 4:23)
In speaking these words to the woman at the well, Jesus was trying to help her understand that true worship goes beyond traditions. How the Samaritans worshiped versus how the Jews worshiped was not the real issue. Worship is about meeting God where He is, not where we are, which requires worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. The focus of worship is God, not us.
Jesus’ words provide two cues as to why we too must define true worship in this way:
1) The essence of who we worship
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Look at the next verse for why Jesus defined true worship the way He did — “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
If God is spirit, it only makes sense that we relate to Him on that level. As a spirit, He is not confined to one location. Consequently, we are able to worship Him anywhere and at any time. We must not try to confine Him to a certain place nor to one set tradition of worship.
God must, however, be distinguished from any other kind of created spirit. He alone is eternal, without beginning or end. He alone in infinite, not limited by any constraints. Consequently, we must worship Him not only in spirit, as He is spirit, but also in truth as the One of whom there is none greater whose very being not only defines worship but also life itself.
2) Who spoke these words
Jesus elsewhere claimed, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). Certainly Jesus knew what He was talking about. He came from the Father and would be going back to the Father. Jesus took on flesh so people could relate to Him but His true essence is spirit as He and the Father are one (Jn. 17). While on earth, He connected with the Father in spirit and truth, leaving us with an example to follow.
Not only does Jesus have the authority to tell us how we should worship but He also provided the way for us to do so through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit within us enables us to relate to God on the spiritual level so we don’t have to be stuck in our outward traditions and narrow understandings (1 Cor. 2:9-16).
Are You the Kind of Worshiper God Seeks?
If you are so locked into one set way of worshiping God that you judge others who worship differently than you or you can’t worship God unless following that tradition, perhaps it is time to ask if you are a true worshiper. Yes, we can embrace certain traditions as meaningful expressions of love and adoration, but let’s be careful we don’t become so exclusively entrenched in those traditions that we put more emphasis on them than the God we worship.
Proverbs is a very practical book, not only letting us know the type of heart we should have and why it is important but also what produces the kind of heart you have.
Look at the following verses and you will be able to note how God uses instruction and discipline in the shaping of our hearts.
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— (Prov. 2:2)
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. … Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (Prov. 2:6-10)
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, (Prov. 3:1)
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (Prov. 3:3)
Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. (Prov. 4:4)
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; (Prov. 4:20-21)
You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! (Prov. 5:12)
My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. (Prov. 6:20-21)
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Prov. 7:2-3)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (Prov. 12:25)
Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (Prov. 14:33)
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. (Prov. 15:28)
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Prov. 18:12)
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. (Prov. 18:15)
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. (Prov. 22:15)
Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. (Prov. 22:17-19)
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. (Prov. 23:12)
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. (Prov. 23:17)
Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: (Prov. 23:19)
You can also see that some of the instruction and discipline needed to have a good heart comes through God’s Word but some is also parental nurturing. And, we must have an active role in the process, being diligent and purposeful in pursuing this kind of heart with a humble, teachable attitude.
For society to rid itself of the Ten Commandments isn’t merely a way of getting rid of God but it is a way of turning our world into a place that is more and more filled with lovers of self.
Why? Because the Ten Commandments teach us how to love not only God but also people.
In the previous post we already looked at the first four commandments as those which teach us how to love God. Now we turn our attention to the remaining commands to learn how to love people.
Which of the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20 teach us how to love people?
Command #5: Honor your father and your mother … (Ex. 20:12)
Loving people begins with our earliest of relationships, that of a parent and child, whether biological or adoptive. If we don’t learn to honor those who love us and care for our well-being, even when we disagree with them, certainly such disrespect will transfer over into other relationships. Love does not dishonor others (1 Cor. 13:5).
Command #6: You shall not murder. (Ex. 20:13)
To love people is to value life. Each person’s life matters. It is not for us to judge who lives and dies. To love people is to forgive them and not take vengeance into our own hands. Love “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5). Rather, we entrust ourselves, and them, to God for Him to do what is right and best for all.
Command #7: You shall not commit adultery. (Ex. 20:14)
Committing adultery speaks to being unfaithful in the most committed relationship God ordained between two people. True love is not self-seeking (1 Cor. 13:5) so even when the relationship is strained, we remain true to that commitment. Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor. 13:7).
Command #8: You shall not steal. (Ex. 20:15)
To steal is to to “wrongly take and use” something that does not belong to you (Merriam-Webster). Consequently, stealing wrongs another person because we are taking what belongs to them. True love does the opposite. It protects (1 Cor. 13:7). At first glance we might say this command refers to having respect for other people’s property. Keep in mind, that we can steal other things like their time by wasting it, like their dignity by belittling them, like the honor that is due them by claiming credit for their idea or accomplishment, etc. Parents can even steal their child’s emotional well-being by not caring for them as they should.
Command #9: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Ex. 20:16)
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Cor. 13:6) Consequently, if we love someone, we turn away from slandering them or making them look bad before others. We don’t ruin someone’s reputation just to make ourselves look good or to get what we want.
Command #10: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, … or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Ex. 20:17)
Coveting leads to nothing but relational problems, all of which demonstrate a lack of love. — “You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.” (James 4:2) We need to learn to genuinely be glad for what others have, not jealous of their relationships or property for “love does not envy” (1 Cor. 13:4).
The Ten Commandments began by teaching us how to love God. When we learn to love Him, fulfilling these commands that teach us how to love people tends to fall into place because love for people flows out of our love for God.
If we get rid of the 10 Commandments from our society, we don’t merely lose a moral code, we forget how to show love to God and others for these commands teach us HOW TO LOVE both God and people. Remember that Jesus identified the Greatest Commandments as loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. That means any other commandment must be a sub-point of these two commands for “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt 22:35-40).
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In this post we will look at the commandments that teach us how to love God. The next post will consider the commandments that teach us how to love people so be sure to subscribe to receive e-mail notice of new posts if not already subscribed.
Which of the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20 teach us how to love God?
The first four commandments relate to our relationship with God. He is first, and then people.
Command #1: You shall have no other gods before me. (Ex. 20:3)
Jesus said we are to love God with ALL of who we are which means we put Him first in terms of priority, importance, and devotion. We give Him the reigns of our lives, not allowing ourselves to come under the control of others things or people. He is our first love who has ALL of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Command #2: You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them … (Ex. 20:4-6)
When we truly love someone, we accept them for who they are. Likewise, love for God keeps us from trying to redefine Him or confining or limiting Him to our understanding. He is the one of whom there is none greater. He is so great that we can’t possibly fashion anything physically or mentally that comes close to describing who He is, and we dishonor Him if we try.
Command #3: You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God … (Ex. 20:7)
Who dishonors or disrespects those they love? If anything, we dignify them before others. If we love God, we will honor Him in the way we both speak and live so He is glorified. We let our light shine for Him (Matt. 5:16).
Command #4: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy … (Ex. 20:8-11)
When we love someone, we want to spend time with them. When we love God, we likewise intentionally and purposefully set aside time to rest in Him. We guard against getting so busy that He is scheduled out of our lives.
Keeping these first four commandments shows that you do indeed love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. It’s not about meriting God’s love through our obedience but rather showing Him love.
What does God’s Word say about how we should use our time?
Here are some Bible verses that can guide us in making the most of the time we are given. All of the reference used herein do not specifically refer to time, but the use of time would be implied.
Use your time responsibly as one accountable to the Lord not in bondage as a people-pleaser or mere lover of self.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:9-10)
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal. 1:10)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Eph. 4:1)
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. … (1 Pet. 1:17-25)
Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
Use your time in God-honoring ways, making your goal to please to Him in all you do.
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (Rom. 13:11-14)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. (1 Thess. 4:1)
Use your time to its best advantage, investing it wisely, knowing that you will never get it back.
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Eph. 5:15-16)
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Col. 4:5)
Parable of the Ten Virgins and their Oil Lamps (Matt. 25:1-13)
Use your time to do good, not living merely for your own comfort and convenience.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal. 6:9-10)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)
Use your time productively, in ways that are beneficial.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. (Prov. 6:6-11)
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. (Prov. 20:4)
“I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is constructive. (1 Cor. 10:23)
Use your time strategically and purposefully with everything in its proper time, not taking life for granted.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps. 90:12)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to … (Eccl. 3:1-11)
Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. (Ps. 39:4-7)
Use your time in full dependence on the Sovereign Lord, making His priorities yours.
But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (Ps. 31:14-15)
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Ps. 139:16)
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. (Prov. 16:9)
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:33)
Use your time humbly as though each day was your last, knowing that God is in control.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. (Prov. 27:1)
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:14-17)
As immorality creeps more and more into our society, with that which is unnatural and that which violates the standards of a holy God seen as normal, Christians who hold fast to the Word of God will more and more find themselves on the fringe, viewed as inflexible, intolerant, and even haters. To be sure, some “Christians” do take a more aggressive and antagonistic approach and reap what they sow. But, even those who do seek to “speak the truth in love” exercising both grace and truth, will undoubtedly find themselves increasingly under attack.
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Jesus was no stranger to criticism, betrayal, rejection, torture, and then paying the ultimate price of His life for righteousness sake. — “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”(Heb. 12:3-4)
What We Can Learn About Suffering From Jesus?
If we look at the first two verses of Hebrews 12, we can gain some understanding about the example Jesus provides for us.
1) There is a bigger picture to consider than our momentary suffering.
“Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured … ”
Perhaps this was behind James’ exhortation to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) — If nothing else, our suffering has the potential of making us better people.
2) Sometimes we just have to endure whatever it is we are facing because of that bigger picture.
“Jesus … endured the cross”
Jesus did not try to escape His suffering. When his disciples wanted to fight Jesus said, “Put your sword back in its place . . . Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Matt. 26:52-54) — If we aren’t willing to endure some suffering, how is the greater good to come about?
3) As we endure the suffering, we must be careful not to succumb to the shame people try to throw on us.
“Jesus … endured the cross, scorning its shame”
Jesus didn’t retaliate against the insults thrown at Him. Rather, “when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Pet. 2:23) — If we don’t rise above the criticism, how can we claim to be taking the Christ-like approach?
4) We can be assured that in the end, God will triumph over the suffering.
“and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
Jesus didn’t remain in the grave. He triumphed over sin and death and one day every knee will bow to Him. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:8-11) — If God was able to bring about such a glorious outcome from Jesus’ suffering, can’t we trust Him to take care of us?
Let’s remember that people are looking at not only how we react to the sin and immorality around us but also how we respond to their provocation or attacks because of it, to the resultant suffering we might experience. The passage we have used in this post began,
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus …” (Heb. 12:1).
Let’s make sure we react properly for “how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” (1 Pet. 2:20) “… keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Pet. 3:16-17)
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