09/03/2025
*THE TEN COMMANDMENTS REVEALED IN CHRIST*
A Message to the Church of the Messiah, the Assemblies of Believers, and Those Who Bear the Name of Yeshua
Beloved in Yeshua, grace and peace be with you in the name of Yeshua, our Messiah and Redeemer. Today, we gather not to hear the wisdom of men but to stand upon the Word of the Living God. The world may change, and cultures may shift, but the truth of God remains eternal. His laws do not fade with time or bend to human desires. What He has spoken, He has established forever.
Many have misunderstood our Lord's words, twisting grace into lawlessness and mercy into compromise. But Yeshua Himself declared, âDo not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfilâ (Matthew 5:17). He came not to replace the Law but to reveal its fullness, showing us that obedience is not just outward action but a matter of the heart.
Let us, then, return to the Ten Commandmentsânot as distant laws of the past but as the foundation of holy living, confirmed and upheld by Yeshua and His apostles.
*1. You shall have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 5:7)*
The Lord alone is God. He commands exclusive worship, for He is the source of all life and salvation. No idol, philosophy, or ambition should ever take His place in our hearts.
Yeshua reaffirmed this when He said, âYou shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.â (Matthew 4:10). Paul also declared, âFor us, there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him.â (1 Corinthians 8:6) Yeshua reminds us that God alone is worthy of our worship. There is no place for divided loyalty. Many today bow to the gods of wealth, ambition, pleasure, and self. But as the children of God, we must stand in the fear of the Lord, serving Him alone.
*2. You shall not make for yourself an idol (Exodus 20:4-6, Deuteronomy 5:8-10)*
Idolatry is not only the worship of carved images; it is not just bowing before statues but the elevation of anything above God. A faith built on personal desires rather than on the Word of God is idolatry in disguise.
The apostles warned against the idolatry of wealth, power, and self-interest. âLittle children, guard yourselves from idols.â (1 John 5:21) and âTherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.â (1 Corinthians 10:14)
*3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11)*
Godâs name is holy and must not be misused in speech, false oaths, or hypocrisy. The name of God is sacred. It is not to be used carelessly or for personal gain. Many profess the name of Yeshua, yet their hearts are far from Him. To take His name in vain is to misuse it in speech and claim it while living in rebellion.
Yeshua taught us to pray, âOur Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.â (Matthew 6:9). James warned, âBut above all, do not swear, either by heaven or by the earth, but let your yes be yes, and your no, no.â (James 5:12)
*4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15)*
The Sabbath was a sign of Godâs covenant, a day of rest and devotion to Him. God established the Sabbath as a sign of His covenant, a day set apart for rest and worship.
Yeshua did not discard this but instead restored its true purpose. He calls us to find our ultimate rest in Him, yet we must not forsake the holiness of what God has ordained. As Lord of the Sabbath, Yeshua taught that true rest is found in Him. âThe Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.â (Mark 2:27-28) The writer of Hebrews reminds us, âThere remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.â (Hebrews 4:9-10)
*5. Honour your father and mother (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16)*
Respect for parents is a reflection of our honour for Godâs authority. In a generation that despises authority, the call to honour remains. This is not just for children but all who have been given spiritual and earthly leadership. The family structure is Godâs design, and those who dishonour it dishonour Him.
Yeshua rebuked those who neglected this command, saying, âFor God said, âHonor your father and mother,â and âThe one who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.ââ (Matthew 15:4) Paul emphasised, âChildren, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.â (Ephesians 6:1-3)
*6. You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17)*
Murder is not only the act of taking life but the hatred that breeds it. Murder is more than the taking of life; it begins in the heart. Bitterness, anger, and hatred are seeds of death.
Yeshua calls us to avoid violence and walk in forgiveness and love. He deepened this command, saying, âEveryone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court.â (Matthew 5:21-22) John warned, âEveryone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer.â (1 John 3:15)
*7. You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14, Deuteronomy 5:18)*
Faithfulness in marriage is a reflection of Godâs faithfulness to His people. The world promotes impurity, but Godâs standard has not changed. Adultery is not just an actâit is a condition of the heart. The marriage covenant is sacred, and we are called to holiness in body, mind, and spirit.
Yeshua declared, âEveryone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.â (Matthew 5:27-28) The writer of Hebrews warned, âMarriage is to be held in honour among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled.â (Hebrews 13:4)
*8. You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15, Deuteronomy 5:19)*
Theft is not just about taking what is not ours but living with a spirit of dishonesty. Theft is not just the act of taking but the attitude of selfishness. Integrity must be our banner in business, work, or daily life. We are to be people of honesty, working with our hands to bless, not to deceive.
Paul instructed, âThe one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labour.â (Ephesians 4:28). The unrighteous, including thieves, will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
*9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour (Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20)*
Lies destroy lives. False witnessing is about legal matters and gossip, deceit, and half-truths. As followers of Yeshua, we must be known for truth, even when it costs us. God calls us to truthfulness in all things. Lies destroy, but truth sets free.
Paul commands, âSpeak truth each one of you with his neighbour.â (Ephesians 4:25) and âDo not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices.â (Colossians 3:9-10)
*10. You shall not covet (Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21)*
Covetousness is the root of greed and discontent. Covetousness is a poison that leads to destruction. It breeds dissatisfaction and closes our eyes to Godâs provision.
Paul teaches us to be content in all things, trusting that God is our provider. Yeshua warned, âWatch out and be on your guard against every form of greed.â (Luke 12:15). Paul testified, âI would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, âYou shall not covet.ââ (Romans 7:7)
*The Fulfillment of the Law in Christ*
Some may say, âWe are under grace, not law,â but Paul reminds us: âDo we then nullify the Law through faith? Far from it! On the contrary, we establish the Law.â (Romans 3:31)
Yeshua did not abolish the Law but brought its fullness. He did not lessen the standard; He revealed its deeper meaning. The Law does not save us, but we are called to walk in obedience, for grace does not lead us to lawlessness.
Beloved, as we reflect on these commandments, let us not see them as mere rules but as the heartbeat of our Father. Let us walk in holiness, not out of fear, but out of love, knowing that obedience is worship.
For the world may change, but Godâs truth remains. The words of Yeshua stand: âIf you love Me, you will keep My commandments.â (John 14:15)
May we be found faithful. May we walk in righteousness. And may we, as the assemblies of believers, shine as a light amid darkness.
Amen.