Enjoying Life Under the Sun

  THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not commit adultery.” What does the seventh commandment teach us? That God condemns all unchastity,  and that therefore we should thoroughly detest it  and live decent and chaste lives,  within or outside of the holy state of marriage.  Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as adultery? We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul,  and God wants us both to be kept clean and holy.  That is why God forbids  all unchaste actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires,  and whatever may incite someone to them.  For the Bible Tells Me So... Matthew 5:27-29 You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not commit adultery.” 28But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of you...

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not murder.” What is God’s will for me in the sixth commandment? I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor— not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture,  and certainly not by actual deeds— and I am not to be party to this in others;  rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge.  I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why  government is armed with the sword. Does this commandment refer only to murder?  By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness.   In God’s sight all such are disguised forms of murder.  Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any such way?  No.  By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves,   to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them,  to pro...

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God is giving to you. What does God require in the fifth commandment?  That I show all honor, love, and faithfulness to my father and mother and to all those in authority over me,  submit myself with due obedience to their good instruction and discipline,  and also have patience with their weaknesses and shortcomings, since it is God’s will to govern us by their hand. For the Bible Tells Me So... Proverbs 1:8 — Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and reject not your mother’s teaching.  Ephesians 6:1,2 — Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. Romans 13:1 — Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist, h...

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work.  But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God;  you shall not do any work— you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns.  For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them,  but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. What is God’s will for you in the fourth commandment? First,  that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained,  and that, especially on the festive day of rest,  I diligently attend the assembly of God’s people  to learn what God’s Word teaches,  to participate in the sacraments,  to pray to God publicly,  and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.  Second,  that every day of my life  I rest from my evil ways, ...

May I swear an oath in God's name if I do it reverently? Yes,  when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God's glory and my neighbor's good. Such oaths are grounded in God's Word  and were rightly used by the people of God  in the Old and New Testaments. May I also swear by saints or other creatures? No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God  as the only one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely. No creature is worthy of such honor. For the Bible Tells Me So. .. Deuteronomy 6:13 You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,  2 Corinthians 1:23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Romans ...

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. What is the aim of the third commandment? That I neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor share in such horrible sins  by being a silent bystander. In summary, I should use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe, so that I may properly confess God, pray to God,  and glorify God in all my words and works. Is blasphemy of God's name by swearing and cursing  really such a serious sin that God is angry also with those who do not do all they can  to help prevent and forbid it? Yes, indeed. No sin is greater or provokes God's wrath more than blaspheming his name. That is why God commanded it to be punished with death. For the Bible Tells Me So... James 5:12 — But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” ...

May I then not make any image at all? God can not and may not  be visibly portrayed in any way. Although creatures may be portrayed,  yet God forbids making or having such images  if one’s intention is to worship them  or to serve God through them. But may not images be permitted in churches in place of books for the unlearned? No, I should not try to be wiser than God. God wants the Christian community instructed by the living preaching of his Word - not by idols that cannot even talk. Deuteronomy 4:15-16 —  Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,  beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure  Isaiah 40:18, 25 —  O whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?  To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.  Acts 17:29 — Being th...

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of the parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me,  but showing love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. What is God’s will for us in the second commandment? That we in no way make any image of God  nor worship him in any other way  than has been commanded in God’s Word. For the Bible Tells Me So... Isaiah 40:18-25  To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?  The workman molds an image, the goldsmith overspreads it with gold, and the silversmith casts silver chains.  Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution chooses a tree that will...

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT I am the Lord your God, who brought you of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, you shall have no other gods before me. What does the Lord require  in the first commandment? That I, not wanting to endanger my own salvation,  avoid and shun  all idolatry, sorcery, superstitious rites,  and prayer to saints or other creatures. That I rightly know the only true God,  trust him alone,  and look to God for every good thing  humbly and patiently,  and love, fear, and honor God  with all my heart. In short,  that I give up anything  rather than go against God’s will in any way. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.   (Psalm 119:77 NIV) What is idolatry? Idolatry is  having or inventing something in which one trusts  in place of or alongside of the only true God,  who has revealed himself in the Word.  It is better to take re...

Q. But what are good works?  Only those which are done out of true faith, John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.  Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. in accordance with the law of God, Leviticus 18:4 ‘You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God.  1 Samuel 15:22 Then Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.  Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepare...

Q. What is the coming to life of the new nature?  It is a heartfelt joy in God through Christ, For the Bible Tells Me So... Psalm 51:8 Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.  Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.  Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. and a love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works. For the Bible Tells Me So... Romans 6:10-11  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for al...

Q. What is the dying of the old nature?  It is to grieve with heartfelt sorrow that I have offended God by my sin, and more and more to hate it and flee from it. For the Bible Tells Me So... Psalm 51:3-4  For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.  Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight; That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.  Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart; These, O God, You will not despise.  Joel 2:12-13  “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”  So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.  Romans 8:12-13  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh....

What is the true repentance or conversion of man?  It is the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new. For the Bible Tells Me So... Romans 6:1-11  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall ...

Can I be saved if I do not turn to God from my ungrateful and impenitent walk of life?  By no means.  Scripture says that no unchaste person,  idolater,  adulterer,  thief,  greedy person,  drunkard,  slanderer,   robber,  or the like shall inherit the kingdom of God. For the Bible Tells Me So... 1 Corinthians 6:9-10  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you befo...

Since I have been delivered from my misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of my own, why must I yet do good works?  Because Christ,  having redeemed me by His blood,  also renews me by His Holy Spirit to be His image,  so that with my whole life I may show myself thankful to God for His benefits, For the Bible Tells Me So... Romans 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  1 Peter 2:5-10  you also, as living stones, are being built up ...

Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.  John 14:1 There has been one in this world called Jesus of Nazareth,  and it is He who says to me,  "Let not your heart be troubled...believe in me,"  Which means,  "Come to me, tell me your troubles,  tell me all about your difficulty about God,  the difficulty of prayer,  the difficulty about your weak will and failure." It does not matter what it is that makes me restless and ill at ease.   It may be the possibility of war,  it may be illness,  it may be business troubles,  it may be my own weakness morally or  in the realm of the will -  Whatever it is, whatever is troubling and making me unhappy,  I must go to him about it.   He is the one who loved me enough to die for me.   He said, "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).   There is no need for me...

When the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!"  Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him."  The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God."  When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid."   John 19:6-8 Whose praise will I live for? Pilate stands as a challenge to me. His conduct compels me to ask myself: In what situations do I, like Pilate, know the right thing to do in some way and yet fear what other people will say if I do it? Are there ways in which my words or conduct are governed more by the expectations and reaction of others, than by the commands of Christ? Let me not compromise on my position regarding Christ. If I let the opinions of my colleagues, my neighbors, or my family concern me too much,  I may find myself giving up forgiveness, peace, heaven, and Christ Him...

  Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"  John 19:5 Do I understand why Jesus went down this road of humiliation?   Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan - love and salvation for you and me!   Two millennia ago, there stood a sorry spectacle outside the governor's palace,  in part because Jesus had my name before His gaze -  a name He had graven on the palms of those hands that would be pierced by cruel nails (Isaiah 49:16). May I never be like the riotous crowd,  mocking Christ's humility,  nor like Pilate, looking for Christ to be impressed with me.  Instead, let me behold this Man in all His humility -  holding His reed,  bearing His crown,  wearing this costume,  hanging on that cross - and see Him beckoning.   Let me behold the Man,  and know beyond all doubt  that His love for me knows no end. Adapted Excerpt From ...

What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be; Someday your heart will be asking, "What will He do with me?" - Albert B. Simpson Neutral I cannot be.   I will either live under Jesus' rule over me or I will not.   Should I close my Bible in the morning and then live as though this world and its concerns and kings are all that is or all that matters?   Should I proceed as though Jesus has no place or interest in my life in this world?   He stood friendless and forsaken before Pilate  so that I might be welcomed as His friend into His eternal kingdom.   There is no option of neutrality -  but why would I want there to be? John 18:36-37 "My kingdom is not of this world... You say that I am a king.   For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world -  to bear witness to the truth.   Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Adapted Excerpt From Truth for Life Volume ...

When my impatience seeks to interfere with God's plans,  I must learn to put away my figurative sword.   I must trust God's plan,  wait on His timing, and  act on His command.   The more familiar I am with the Scriptures -  knowing the great story, promises, and truths found within them - the more I will understand His plans.   But even then,  there will be times when His ways are very mysterious to me and  I am tempted to fight the path He is leading me along.   I need to take Christ's words to Peter to heart: "Put your sword into its sheath!"   I want to trust God's loving hand,  obey His commands, and  follow His lead.   He is the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2), and  the story He is writing is more glorious  than I could imagine or direct for myself. John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off h...

Q. Why do I say that I am righteous only by faith?  Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, for only the satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God.  1 Corinthians 1:30,31 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”  1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I can receive this righteousness and make it my own by faith only. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  1 John 5:10-12 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.  And this is the testimony: that God has...

In Christ I am righteous before God and heir to life everlasting. For the Bible Tells Me So... Habakkuk 2:4 Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.  John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.  Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 5:1,2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Q. How am I righteous before God?  Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16 …knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ a...

Q. What comfort do I receive from knowing I have life everlasting?  Since I now already feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, For the Bible Tells Me So... John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  Romans 14:17 … for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  2 Corinthians 5:2,3  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,  if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. I shall after this life possess perfect blessedness, such as no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived - a blessedness in which to praise God forever. For the Bible Tells Me So... John 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the wor...

Q. What comfort does the resurrection of the body offer me?  Not only shall my soul after this life immediately be taken up to Christ, my Head, For the Bible Tells Me So... Luke 16:22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.  Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  Philippians 1:21-23  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.  For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. but also this my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul and made like Christ’s glorious body. For the Bible Tells Me So... Job 19:25,26  For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;  And after my skin is ...

Through God the Holy Spirit I become a member of Christ and all His benefits. First, that the Spirit, with the Father and the Son is eternal God. For the Bible Tells Me So... Genesis 1:1,2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 5:3,4 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”  1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?...