The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Joel M. during the 2009-2010 League.
Mission: Research on the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, written by God, and given to Moses on Mount Sinai, were the very first written laws that the Israelites had after God delivered them from Egypt. Before these laws, they had lived in Egypt under the laws of that country. Previously, they were travelers with Abraham, following God's commands through him. These commandments have molded Israel, Jews, and Christians to this day.
God's purpose for his people had always been to love him, and walk in righteousness and not be influenced by the rest of the evil nations surrounding them. These nations worshiped false gods and performed horrible acts for them. God, in the first two commandments, saying to love Him and have no other god's before Him, puts a definite end to that. Another practical purpose for these commandments is that in following them, the Israelites would have less turmoil in their nation. God's purposes for these commandments still stand today.
Up to this point in the Old Testament, we've seen Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all have personal relationships with God. But the common people chose for Moses to talk to God because they were afraid of Him. That's why these commandments were so important. God's people could still worship Him, have contact with Him, and sacrifice for their sins, yet without personally speaking to Him, since they were so afraid.
In the New Testament, Jesus sums up the whole law into the two greatest commandments. Matt. 22:37-40 reads, "And Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.'" As you can see, the sum of these two commandments is love.
Following is a list of the Commandments. With each one, I will apply love. 1."You shall have no other gods before me." If you loved the Lord with all your heart, why would you put another god before Him? 2." You shall not make any graven images." Why would you make an image to worship, when you can worship the One you love? 3."You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." Once again, if you loved Him, why would you take His name in vain? 4."You shall remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy." In loving God, wouldn't you want to keep his special day Holy? This day is also a sign of trust in God. 5."Honor your Father and you Mother." This can be hard. Some parents don't even take care of their kids. But God commands us to do so. And even if we can't love those in authority over us, we have to respect their position. 6."You shall not murder." If you loved your neighbor, it would be preposterous to think that you would kill him. 7."You shall not commit adultery." Why would you sleep with another man's wife if you loved him? 8."You shall not steal." How could you steal from those that you love? 9."You shall not bear false witness." It would be outrageous to think that you would bear false testimony against someone you loved! 10."You shall not covet." In loving your neighbor, why would you want what he has? You should be happy he has it and be content with what you have.
This goes to show that love is the fulfillment of the law. Love is the new commandment for keeping all the old commandments; Jesus' exhortation to lead a Christian life.
Through all the ages, God's people have tried to follow these commandments with their whole heart. But no matter how good you are, you could never make it to Heaven on your own. Before Jesus came to earth, you would have to sacrifice for your sins and hope that God would have mercy on you. Now that Jesus has come, His loving sacrifice has rescued each and every one of us from our eternal doom. All we have to do is believe in Him with our whole heart and live the greatest commandment of all. LOVE.
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." (I Cor. 13:2-3)
