THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The first four Commandments teach us how to relate to God. They are vertical, reaching from Heaven to earth.

One … “Do not have other gods besides me” (Exodus 20:3)

Two … “Do not make an idol for yourself” (Exodus 20:4)

Three … “Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:7)

Four … “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8)

The final six Commandments teach us how to relate to one another. These are horizontal.

Five … “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12)

Six … “Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13)

Seven … “Do not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).

Eight … “Do not steal” (Exodus 20:15).

Nine … “Do not give false testimony” (Exodus 20:16).

Ten … “Do not covet” (Exodus 20:17).

The Ten Commandments form a cross. The first four, the vertical piece, and the other six, the horizontal piece. The law points to the cross.

The law doesn’t save (Romans 8:3-8), but “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24, KJV). The ten commandments direct us to the cross, where the perfectly sinless Jesus paid our ransom.

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).