10 Commandments

[CalHunter]

I went to church this morning and our pastor was preaching about the 8th commendment (Thou shalt not steal). He then mentioned something I had never considered before about the ten commendments. He said that the commandments are not so much designed to make us better people as to make us realize that we are sinners and need God's grace. It doesn't excuse anybody sinning or give out any free passes but that really made me sit back and think about the commendments from a whole new angle. What does everybody else think about this?

[Chuck7]

I agree with your pastor. The law was a school master to show us our need for Christ. According to the Word love fulfills the entire law. What I've been seeing though is this..love seems to come in stages.

Stage One. We are to obey the scriptures that deal with forgiving and giving etc. And yes they have many benefits. However ; at times our flesh gets the best of us and we look pretty 'doubleminded'

Stage two.. A deeper love of Empathy or compassion. You begin understanding the other folks better. You put yourself in their shoes {empathy} and have a sincere love for them. You are a merciful person." For God so loved the World that He gave His only begooten Son." to save the world.

So far this is as far as I've gotten ,but I do know that God's love fulfills the law. My eyes are focused on the comnpassionate love presently. I have not arrived but my sights are on it.
I'll be on a field trip today. See you all later. Strut and Chuck Renfrow are doing good .
God bless,
CHuck

[Tazman]

Good post Chuck, what would you say is the third stage?

[Chuck7]

Taz
Stage 3 Probably a broken heart for souls. A knew a man who could not pass a bar without going in and weeping with them. I knew another who literally witnessed to all he saw. Probably the heart of true missionairies. I really don't know since I am not there. I did do my best to walk in compassion to day and must say I had zero behavior problems at school. People love to be loved.

Chuck

[Soilarch]

The law was a school master to show us our need for Christ.

Don't know the verse or exact wording (I know I know, real dangerous in this forum, but....)

The bible also said that one of the laws purpose is "to shut the mouth of every man" meaning we have no excuse or way of saying we are good enough.
I also like an A.W. Tozer quote on this:
"Whoever defends himself will have himself for his defense, and he will have no other. But let hime come defenseless before the Lord and he will have for his defender no less than God Himself."

[Chuck7]

Galations3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.