GOD’S MORAL STANDARDS- the Ten Commandments

The Bible teaches universal moral duties and principles as summarised in the Ten Commandments- further summarised by Jesus in the two ‘love’ commandments (Mathew 22:40).  This is not an ethic restricted to any particular time or culture. It is binding upon all humanity because it is the righteous standard of the God who made us, even though no one is able to obey all this holy law.

The law cannot save us and we may never hope to be made right with God through observing the law (Galatians 2:16). Rather, it points us to Christ, who came and died to save his people from the curse of law-breaking (Galatians 3:13, 24). It is by the law that we know sin, for sin is ‘the transgression of the law’ (1 John 3:4). Being saved and united to Christ, the Christian is under no condemnation from the law because the Son's righteousness is accounted ours (Romans 8:1).

The new relationship we have with God means we have a new standing with respect to his law, so that it may truly be said, ‘You are not under the law, but under grace’ (Romans 6:14). But this does not mean that the Christian repudiates the law, for those who are saved from its condemnation will view the righteous law of God in a way which is not possible for those who are still under sentence as law-breakers. With the Apostle Paul, believers find themselves ‘delighting in the law of God’ (Romans 7:22).

The Moral Law is not simply a personal standard for Christians, but sets the standard which God as Creator and Judge requires of all mankind. It is the only foundation upon which true justice and righteousness can be built. It is the standard by which national life, in every aspect, ought to be regulated. We want to preserve what is pure and good in all spheres of life. The family needs to be protected from the ravages of marital breakdown, violence, and the polluting influences of pornography and sexual perversion. The selfish and unnecessary killing of the unborn is a national disgrace. The effects of alcohol and drug abuse are evident to all. Our children need protection from those who exploit the young and weak. Honesty and integrity in government and business urgently need to be promoted.

What is to be done? It is only right that we do what we can to help the victims of man's inhumanity to man. But we also need to address the underlying causes and promote a lifestyle which will preserve purity and truth. Our nation needs to return to the Lord and to the only sure guide which is God's Moral Law (Proverbs 13:24). Love demands that society be shown a better way - the way which agrees with our Maker's righteous standard.