Every sailor knows that he must follow his captain’s orders. Not only because he’ll be punished if he doesn’t, but also so the ship will sail correctly. If he doesn’t obey, it could go off course or worse, run aground and sink! It will never reach its destination.
God, our Captain, gave orders long ago. Do those orders ( the Ten Commandments) still apply to us today? Well, let’s take a look at Exodus 20 (NIV) and see.
Verse 3: You shall have no other gods before me.
God is still the One and Only God.
Verse 4: You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
Even though there are many statues of various themes today, it still stands true that we should never worship them.
Verse 7: You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Many people use God’s name in vain. Does that make it right? No. The command still stands true today.
Verse 8: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Whether we choose to worship on a Saturday, Sunday or any other day, we should still take at least one day to rest and refresh ourselves.
Verse 12: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Of course this still applies today!
Verse 13: You shall not murder.
Is it okay to murder today? No, punishments then and punishments now.
Verse 14: You shall not commit adultery.
Too many people choose to ignore this particular command, yet it still applies today.
Verse 15: You shall not steal.
Stealing is still wrong today.
Verse 16: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Although a lot of people lie, some more than others, we still need to not lie. A life based on lies is a fake and unfulfilled life. This still applies today.
Verse 17: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Jealousy and envy are rampant in the world today. Everyone wants what everyone has, only better. This, too, still applies today.
So, as we can see, the Ten Commandments definitely still apply to us today. If we follow them, our ship will sail smoothly over the waters of life. Our ship will brave storms and battles with success and victory! Our ship will fulfill its purpose and arrive at its intended destination. One day, we will all be judged by how well we followed all ten of them. Let’s follow our Captain’s orders and keep a steady course.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV).
Debbie Mitchell