From Obligation to Devotion: Living the Commandments Through Love
In the world’s eyes, the Ten Commandments are often seen as a heavyweight. People consider them typically with a sense of responsibility, obligation, and even drudgery. There’s a feeling of being under the burden of following rules as if to be a good person, or a responsible adult requires self-sacrifice. This attitude creates a view of God’s commands as something imposed upon us, against our desires, and something we endure reluctantly.
With this perspective, we can never truly be justified or drawn closer to God. Instead, we may find ourselves frustrated and rebellious or prideful, thinking we’ve accomplished something righteous on our own. This mindset, in fact, is the same pride that led to Satan’s downfall.
Israel Rejected God's Personal Invitation and Commands
The key to understanding the commandments is shifting our perspective. The Ten Commandments were not meant to be burdensome obligations but invitations—direct invitations from God to have a personal, intimate relationship with Him. In Exodus 20:1-17, God speaks directly to His people, delivering His commandments audibly in each person's hearing. Yet, the people’s response was not one of awe or acceptance. They rushed Moses and begged him to intervene, asking him to shield them from God’s direct voice. They sought a mediator, preferring a secondhand relationship with God. They got His words placed on lifeless stone tablets instead of inscribed upon their hearts, therefore they always wrestled with the weight of having to carry them in their own strength. Even religious leaders cannot keep it in their own power as we see Jesus rebuking them in John 7:19 when He said, "Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it."
A Relationship With God, Not a Burden
Instead of seeing the commandments as restrictive rules imposed upon us because of our sinful nature, we must come to see them as expressions of a relationship with God. These commands are not a list of “dos and don’ts” to be followed out of duty but are the natural outflow of a love-filled, living connection with Him. We move from the perspective of “I demand to be your God, and you must obey” to “You are my God, and out of love and devotion, I will obey.”
God’s desire is that His commandments be not an external set of rules but internalized principles that shape our hearts and actions. Jeremiah 31:33 speaks of this new way of living: “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” God’s law is not to be written on stone tablets which are dead, but on our living hearts—transforming our very nature, moving us from obligation to devotion from servants to sons. 2 Corinthians 3:6 echos this by stating that the new covenant is not based on the letter of the law but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Romans 7:6 states, "But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."
From Stone to Flesh: Living Stones in God’s Kingdom
This transition from an external, rigid law to an internalized, living relationship is beautifully described in 1 Peter 2:5, which calls us “living stones.” The image contrasts the dead tablets of the Old Covenant with the living, breathing people of God in the New Covenant. The Old Covenant was based on laws written on hard, cold stones, but the New Covenant, through Jesus, transforms us into living stones—vibrant and growing in our understanding of God’s love. Our hearts, once hardened, are softened by His grace, and the commandments are no longer burdens to bear but expressions of a love that flows from our hearts.
Reimagining the Ten Commandments
When we view the Ten Commandments not as rigid rules but as invitations to live in God’s love, they take on a new life. Rather than seeing them as restrictions, we can view them as opportunities to reflect God’s character in our lives. Here’s a fresh look at the Ten Commandments, reimagined through the lens of a heart devoted to God. Instead of "I will now be your God so you must do this and not do that", think of it this way...
If I am your God, you will have no other gods before me. Our love for God means our hearts are wholly His, and there is no room for other gods in our lives. Our devotion to Him is complete and undivided.
If I am your God, you will not make for yourselves an idol.Idols are not just physical objects but anything we elevate above God. In His love, we find fulfillment in Him alone, and nothing can replace Him.
If I am your God, you will not take my name in vain.Living in God’s love means honoring His name in both our words and actions, respecting His holiness and power.
If I am your God, you will remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.The Sabbath is a gift, a time to rest and reflect on God’s goodness. When we love God, we treasure this rhythm of rest, knowing it is for our benefit.
If I am your God, you will honor your father and mother.Honoring our parents is an extension of honoring God. His love for us inspires us to show love and respect to those in authority over us.
If I am your God, you will not murder. Life is sacred, and in God’s love, we honor and protect the lives of others, seeing their value as created in His image.
If I am your God, you will not commit adultery. Love for God leads to faithfulness in all our relationships. Just as we are faithful to God, we are called to be faithful in our marriages and other relationships.
If I am your God, you will not steal. God is our provider, and when we live in His love, we trust He will meet our needs, freeing us from the desire to take what isn’t ours.
If I am your God, you will not bear false witness against your neighbor. Truth reflects God’s integrity. In His love, we speak the truth, knowing that our words hold the power to build up or tear down.
If I am your God, you will not covet. Coveting stems from dissatisfaction, but when we live in God’s love, we find contentment in what He provides, trusting that His plan is good for us.
The choice is given to us to accept His invitation to be our God. This can only be lived out if we live in His Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ.
Obedience Rooted in Love
As we grow in our relationship with God, we understand that obedience is no longer driven by fear or obligation, but by love. Obeying the commandments is not a burden but a natural response to God’s love. As we internalize His law, written on our hearts, we begin to live in a way that reflects His love. No longer is obedience about following a set of external rules; it is about becoming more like Christ, living out His love in every action. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." ( John 14:15). it's that simple; you will. If, in each choice we have, we choose to love Him more than our desire for "it", we will display the commands lived out fulfilled in His love and by His Spirit.
Living Out the Commandments: A Heart Devoted to God
The Ten Commandments are not just a list of rules—they are invitations to live a life that reflects our love for God. As living stones, we are called to embody these commandments, not out of obligation, but as a natural expression of devotion. Let the commandments be written not just in our minds, but on our hearts, transforming us from the inside out. Let us live out His commandments in love, becoming vessels of His grace, reflecting His character to the world around us. Jesus has fulfilled the law, and through Him, we are invited to live out His commandments with joy, love, and devotion.
In this way, the Ten Commandments are no longer rules; they are a display of how we live and the expression of our life in God.
