But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Lately it seems like I am seeing lots of “Rules to Live By” lists. God gave us the one and only list of rules to live by that we need, The Ten Commandments. We will spend the next four days examining the best list of rules to live by.
1. Know Who is Boss - I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:2-3
Every man has a god that he serves. Every drive in the human body has the potential to cause us to serve its power. These human drives call for fulfillment and the world uses that to enslave men to passions.
Often, we seek security and peace in worldly pleasures that we tend to make into “gods”:
· A wealthy man believes he is secure because of his wealth.
· A man of position believes he is secure because of his power.
· A popular man believes he is secure because of his friends.
· A good man believes he is secure because of his pride.
When these substitutes become more important than anything else in our lives, we have made them a god. They are only substitutes for the eternal security and purpose that only God gives.
2. Be Careful What You Sacrifice To - You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:4-6
It is not an unknown fact that men today can become obsessed with many things in life. Obsessions empty wallets and steal time from the important things in life. In other words, men will sacrifice to obtain their obsessions.
Obsession is a form of worship for it claims our minds, hearts and resources. Another way of saying this is, they become idols as we seek our pleasure and peace in them.
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24
That does not mean that a man cannot find pleasure in the things of life, but when he lives his life for those pleasures he loses the purpose of God. Work is good, but it can be an idol. Sports is fun, but it can be an idol, outdoor life is good, but it can become an idol.
3. Beware Using God and Being Hypocritical You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. Exodus 20:7
Many have stated that this means you should not cuss or swear. Some who never verbalize a profanity or obscenity are guilty of violating this commandment. Those who use God as a personalreferenceshould walk under His control. There are those who walk in and out of the church wrapped in their religion as a means of gaining a false reputation to enhance their business or personal life while their life dealings are anything but guided by God. God says, “Don’t cover your sin with my name.
These first three commandments deal directly with man’s relationship to God. If you know Him for Who He really is, they come naturally.
