The Rules of Right Relationship

Rules dominate every area of our lives.  There are rules for everything.  Rules about how fast we can move on a pool deck, “no running”.  Rules about entering a business, “no shoes, no shirt, no service”.  Rules about how fast to drive.  Rules about politeness and etiquette.  Rules about clothing and fashion.  Rules make life complicated, but they are important because they make known necessary boundaries and expectations.  Rules are important because they provide safety and security.  Rules are important because they provide a fixed standard that applies to all people, in all places, at all times.  Wouldn’t it be nice if life had a list of rules to live by?

READ: Exodus 20:1-17

God created humanity in His relational image.  Humanity was given God’s relational nature.  And just like everything else in life there are rules for relationship. Therefore, God revealed TEN RULES to establish the STANDARD of a right relationship with Him and with others!  The Ten Rules, more popularly known as the Ten Commandments, were revealed to the people of Israel during their wandering in the wilderness after God used Moses to deliver them from slavery in Egypt.  The Ten Rules were spoken by God directly to the people and written on tablets of stone by the “finger of God” (Ex. 24:12, 31:18, 32:16).  God said that those who obeyed these Rules were His “treasured possession” (Ex. 19:5).  Many consider these Rules archaic and out of date, but when we obey them, life tends to work.  When we don’t obey these rules, life tends to be more challenging and difficult.  What are the 10 rules of right relationship with God and others?

Rules for being in right relationship with GOD (Exodus 20:3-11) – The first 4 commandments are rules for our relationship with God.  God revealed to humanity His expectation of how we are to relate with Him.  Obeying these rules bring about God’s blessing and favor while disobeying these rules bring about God’s curse and displeasure.
No Other GODS Before Me (vs 3) – We are to give our whole lives in worship to the one true God and Him alone (Ex. 23:13; Deut. 13:1-18; Rom. 12:1-2).
Do not make for yourself a CARVED image (vs 4-6) – We are to worship God, as He is, in spirit and truth (Lev. 19:4; John 4:23-24).
Do not take the name of the Lord your God in VAIN (vs 7) – We are to use God’s name and speak about Him in a worthy and reverent manner (Lev. 19:12).
Remember the SABBATH day, to keep it HOLY (vs 8-11) – We are to physically rest and devote ourselves to the Lord 1 day out of 7 (Ex. 31:12-17; Lev. 23:3).

Rules for being in right relationship with OTHERS (Exodus 20:12-17) – The final 6 commandments are rules for our relationship with others.  God Himself revealed to humanity His expectation of how were are to relate with one another.  When we live obediently to these rules our relationships will be characterized by harmony and peace while living disobediently to these rules will result in tension and division.
HONOR your father and your mother (vs 12) – We are to give our parents honor, respect, and obedience as a result of the authority given to them by God (Ex. 21:15, 17; Lev. 19:3; Deut. 21:18-21; Eph. 6:1-13).
Do not MURDER (vs 13) – We are to value and protect the life of other human beings (Lev. 24:17, 21).
Do not commit ADULTERY (vs 14) – Marital companions are to experience and enjoy sex only with their husband or wife (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22).
Do not STEAL (vs 15) – We are to acquire our own property and possessions rightly through hard work.
Do not bear FALSE witness (vs 16) – We are to speak honestly and truthfully to and about others.
Do not COVET (vs 17) – We are to be content and satisfied with our property and possessions.

CONCLUSION
READ: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 God did not establish these Ten Rules as suggestions, they were established as requirements to be obeyed.  God reveled His Ten Rules to us and we must choose whether we are going to obey. The consequence of our choice is either life or death, blessing or curse.  Right relationship with God and others depends on our desire and efforts to live according to these God-established Rules.  Is it your desire to obey and live by God’s Ten Rules of right relationship?