The False Commandments

Having finished up Deuteronomy last night, I dug right in to Joshua (and somehow considered this pleasurable reading).

I read the first two chapters, covering the story of Rahab.

Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho, who was approached by two men to hide out as they observed the new land God had promised them.

Rahab hid the men and lied to authorities, saying that she saw them, but didn't let them in.

Aha! I thought. Lying! In the name of God!

I was all ready to document my evidence. I quickly turned back to the Ten Commandments to properly cite my Bible contradiction.

But, to my surprise, I found that lying is not cited in the Ten Commandments.

Now, I've read this chapter in the Bible and even have it highlighted (It is Exodus 20, by the way). But culture and religion have so shaped my view of what is "right" and "wrong" in God's eyes that I just assume that lying is in there.

In a Bible study I used to take part in, actually, it was debated whether having a surprise birthday party (therefore lying to the guest of honor) was against God's Word. In my mind, it was common sense that God was all for good fun. Come to find out, His Word even reflects that.

God's Ten Commandments (simplified):

1. God is No. 1 (no other gods)
2. No false gods (a play off No. 1 ... showing God's need for exclusivity in our lives)
3. Don't take the Lord's name in vain
4. Rest on the seventh day (how many of us violate this commandment weekly?)
5. Honor our parents
6. Don't murder
7. Don't cheat
8. Don't steal
9. Don't accuse someone of something they didn't do
10. Don't lust after things that aren't yours

Hmm. "Little white lies" aren't listed.

After making that discovery, I took note of other things that aren't on the list.

Not part of God's Ten Commandments:

1. Don't drink
2. Don't do drugs
3. Don't live with someone you aren't married to
4. Don't be homosexual
5. Don't date outside your race
6. Don't watch violent movies
7. Don't have sex outside of marriage
8. Don't live an elaborate lifestyle
9. Don't get divorced

The list goes on and on. My point is that - while God advises on all of the nine non-Commandments listed above, they are not part of the Big Ten (not to be confused with the NCAA conference).

Disclaimer: I understand that things on the list could easily lead to violation of a commandment. For example, one could drink and then drive, resulting in a crash that kills someone. That could fall under murder.

But the point is, we have made commandments out of so many things that God did not command us to do (or not do). He has advised us on every single thing above. I see it as parenting. What would be ideal for each of us?

The ideal is very rarely (if at all) lived out, though. God loves us where we are, regardless of where we are and how we end up.

I fall back on:

Matthew 22:35-41 (NIV) - One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

The greatest commandment is love.

This is why I often question the "narrow path that leads to Jesus". What about those who haven't claimed Christ because they are being condemned "in Jesus' name"? And what about those doing the condemning?

Which person is the greater sinner?

I would wager that many "non-Christians" are living out God's plan of showing love in greater ways than those who claim Christ.

Which person is "saved"?