TEN COMMANDMENTS: A PATH TO TRUE FREEDOM

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The Ten Commandments: A Path to True Freedom by Christian Kahnt.

A Loving Gift, not a Restriction 

The Ten Commandments were given by God as an expression of His love for humanity. Like a parent https://youtu.be/NWcKMQqAZ9Y?si=X0r9k_P6weov5diqgiving guidance to a child, these commands are designed to protect us, bless us, and keep us from harm. They are road signs on life’s journey, pointing us away from danger and toward a life of peace and fulfillment. 

2. Freedom Through Boundaries 

True freedom isn’t about doing whatever we feel like – it’s about living without the weight of guilt, broken relationships, or consequences that harm ourselves and others. The Ten Commandments show us how to live in harmony with God, others, and even our own hearts. They free us from the chaos that comes when we disregard what is good and right. 

3. A Blueprint for Relationships 

The Commandments focus on two essential relationships: 

  • Loving God (the first four Commandments): They teach us to honour and connect with the One who made us. 
  • Loving others (the last six Commandments): They guide us in building healthy, respectful relationships with the people around us. 

Jesus Himself summed this up when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” and “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). 

4. Protecting What Matters Most 

Each Commandment isn’t just a prohibition but a safeguard for something precious: 

  • “You shall have no other gods before Me”: Keeps our hearts anchored in what is eternal and unchanging, rather than fleeting pursuits. 
  • “You shall not make idols”: Protects us from investing in false hopes that will ultimately disappoint. 
  • “Do not misuse God’s name”: Calls us to honour God in our words and actions. 
  • “Remember the Sabbath”: Encourages rest, reflection, and restoration in a fast-paced world. 
  • “Honor your father and mother”: Instils respect for family and wisdom. 
  • “Do not murder”: Safeguards life and peace in our communities. 
  • “Do not commit adultery”: Protects trust and love in relationships. 
  • “Do not steal”: Upholds fairness and integrity. 
  • “Do not lie”: Builds trust and truthfulness. 
  • “Do not covet”: Promotes contentment and gratitude. 

5. A Path to Flourishing 

Far from being a heavy burden, the Ten Commandments are a path to flourishing. They invite us to live as God designed us to live—in harmony with Him, with others, and with ourselves. When we follow them, we experience peace, joy, and a deeper sense of purpose. 

The Gospel and the Commandments 

The Commandments show us God’s standard for holy living, but they also reveal our inability to meet that standard on our own. This is where the gospel shines brightest. 

Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He offers us forgiveness for our failures and the power to live transformed lives. In Christ, the Commandments are not burdens but blessings. We obey not to earn God’s love, but because we’ve already received it. 

Sharing the Good News 

As we reflect on the Ten Commandments, let’s embrace them as a positive, life-giving framework. Share this perspective with those around you – on social media, in conversations, and in prayer groups. Remind others that God’s commands aren’t about restriction but about love, protection, and freedom. 

By choosing to live within the wisdom of God’s guidelines, we step into the abundant life He desires for us – a life marked by love, peace, and true freedom. 

Pastor Christian Kahnt is the Assistant Pastor at the Parramatta Christian Church NSW Australia

TEXAS SENATE PROTECTS CHILDREN FROM A GODLESS FUTURE

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Lawmakers in Texas have advanced two pieces of legislation requiring public schools to prominently display the Ten Commandments in every classroom and allow school districts to set aside time for students to pray and read religious texts. 

If passed by the House of Representatives, God will bless this State for taking a stand for Him. Texas will be a light on the hill for God and He will make it stand out in many ways. In fact, it is already happening as many companies are leaving California to move to Texas. If passed. watch and see how this move to save children from a godless future will bless this State.

Last Thursday, the state Senate approved SB 1515, introduced by Republican Sen. Phil King. If passed by the House of Representatives, it would require Texas public elementary and secondary schools to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom. 

In its current form, SB 1515 amends current law relating to how the Ten Commandments are displayed in public schools.

While there is currently no such requirement in Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District made such a proposal at least legally feasible, the bill’s author contends. 

Joe Kennedy, a public high school assistant football coach in Washington state who was dismissed for praying on the field after games, was reinstated after he was punished by Bremerton School District for praying on the field after games in 2015.

The text of SB 1515 states that enacting the legislation will remind “students all across Texas of the importance of a fundamental foundation of American and Texas law — the Ten Commandments.”

State senators also passed SB 1396, which would allow public, non-religious school districts to adopt a policy requiring its campuses to allocate time for students and staff to participate in an optional “period of prayer and Bible reading on each school day.”

Authored by Republican Sen. Mayes Middleton, the bill would allow prayer or Bible reading to be delivered over a school’s public address system. It would require parents to opt-in for their children to participate.

“A public school student has an absolute right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school in a manner that does not disrupt the instructional or other activities of the school,” the bill states. 

“A person may not require or coerce a student to engage in or refrain from such prayer or meditation during any school activity.”

HOW IS COVETING IDOLATRY? FAILURE TO FEAR, LOVE AND TRUST GOD

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How is it that “coveting” is such a severe sin that it rates inclusion in the Ten Commandments? Coveting does not overtly harm our neighbour.  Desiring what my neighbour has does not hurt him, unless coveting gives way to actually acting on that desire, by, for example, violating the commandment against stealing.  But coveting is a sin that harms me, even if I never act upon it.  Coveting is not a matter of committing external actions, as in other commandments.  Rather, it is a condition of the heart.

Coveting is not just as an action but an internal state is the point Jesus makes in the Sermon on the Mount.  Not just murder but hatred and contempt violates the commandment against killing.  Not just actual fornication but lust violates the commandment against adultery (Matthew 5:21-28).

In fact, the sinful inner state is the prior cause of the other sins.  Before you steal, you first covet what belongs to your neighbor.  Before you commit adultery, you covet your neighbor’s wife.  The original sin of Adam and Eve involved coveting – wanting to be like God (Genesis 3:5).

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

How is coveting idolatry?  To sinfully desire what your neighbor has is to be discontented with what God has given you.  It is thus a failure to “fear, love, and trust in God above all things,” Both have to do with the lack of faith.

Faith made possible by Jesus sacrifice on The Cross

Graven images can distract us from trusting the true God, and so can our desire for possessions or relationships.  But we can trust God to meet all of our needs.  And, in fact, He has already given us gifts that are right for us, and He will continue to do so.  We do not need to covet what He has done for someone else.

The Law leads us inexorably to the sin within our own heart.  And the cure is faith, made possible by the Cross of Jesus Christ, who has atoned for both our external and our internal sins. He offers both forgiveness and an inner transformation wrought by the Holy Spirit that bears fruit in love for both God and our neighbor. Thus the Law leads to the Gospel.  As Luther said, if we can just fulfill the first commandment, to have no other gods before the God of the Bible – that is, to have faith in Him–all of the other commandments will take care of themselves.