Have you ever been asked to name the Ten Commandments that God gave to the children of Israel through his prophet Moses in Exodus chapter 20? How did you do or how would you do?
I want to start this Bible study by asking you to read Exodus chapter 20, verses 1 – 20. Think about God’s standards for perfection as you read the Scriptures. Pause and read .
Having now read for yourself the Ten Commandments in the Bible, I want you to indicate which commandments you have broken and which ones you have perfectly kept. Be honest; remember that you can hide things from other people but you cannot hide anything from God.
1. No other Gods – Belief in the only one true God of the Bible.
2. No graven Images – Not creating a god of your own making.
3. Don’t take God’s Name in vain – use His name lightly.
4. Keep the Sabbath – A day set aside to worship God.
5. Honor your parents – Respect and obedience.
6. Do not Kill – Murder.
7. Do not commit adultery – even in your thoughts.
8. Do not steal – even something small.
9. Do not bear false witness – Lie.
10. Do not covet – Desire what belongs to someone else.
For a deeper understanding of the Law of God and how we fall way short of keeping it, read the Lord Jesus Christ’s teaching in Matthew 5:17 – 48.
According to verse 48 what is God’s standard of obedience?
At this point we need to consider what the New Testament says about God’s law. Find the following verses in your Bible and read the whole chapter to understand their full meaning.
James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Romans 3:20 ” . . . by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
Most people will honestly say, “I know I am a sinner.” But do you understand what the Bible teaches about the consequences of your personal offenses against a Holy God? Consider these verses:
Ezekiel 18:4 “Behold, all souls are mine; … the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death . . .” Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Read Revelation 20:11-15!
The consequences of sin are sobering. What can I do to escape the consequences of my sins? Our situation is desperate! We know that we cannot keep the law. The law just keeps reminding us that we have offended God. However, God has provided another way.
Consider the following verses: Read Romans 5:8, Chapters 3-5
Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Acts 13: 38 -39 “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [Christ] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
According to these verses forgiveness of sin has something to do with _________________.
The word “believe” and its various forms occur over 100 times in the Gospel of John. If you are serious about understanding what it means to believe in Jesus Christ, read this eye witness account of the life of Jesus Christ for yourself. Remember John 1:12
John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Magnify! 