God’s Moral Law for His People
The Ten Commandments are a set of divine laws given by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai. They are recorded in Exodus 20:1–17 and later repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6–21. These commands were not just rules—they were a revelation of God’s character and a blueprint for how His people should live in right relationship with Him and one another.
“And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.’” – Exodus 20:1–2
God gave these commandments after He had already rescued His people from slavery, not as a means to earn salvation but as a covenant guide for holy living.
The Ten Commandments Listed
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
God alone is to be worshiped as the one true God. - You shall not make for yourself an idol.
God is not to be represented or replaced by created images. - You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
God’s name is holy and must be treated with reverence. - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Set aside one day a week for rest and worship. - Honor your father and your mother.
Respect and obey your parents; this comes with a promise of blessing. - You shall not murder.
Life is sacred and must be protected. - You shall not commit adultery.
Be faithful to your spouse; protect the covenant of marriage. - You shall not steal.
Respect others’ property and live with integrity. - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Always speak truthfully and guard the reputation of others. - You shall not covet.
Be content with what you have; do not crave what belongs to others.
The Purpose of the Commandments
The Ten Commandments were meant to:
- Reflect God’s holy standard
- Reveal our sinfulness and need for grace
- Guide us in loving God and loving people
“Through the law we become conscious of sin.” – Romans 3:20
Jesus affirmed the moral heart of the Ten Commandments. When asked about the greatest commandment, He summarized them this way:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37–39
Do Christians Still Follow the Ten Commandments?
Yes, but with New Covenant understanding. We are no longer under the Law as a system for righteousness (Romans 6:14), but the moral principles of the Ten Commandments still reflect God’s unchanging character. In Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the law through love (Romans 13:8–10).
The Ten Commandments are not a ladder to climb to heaven—they are a mirror that shows us our need for a Savior and the kind of life God desires for His people.