Introduction In this lesson we wrap up our discussion of the Christian ethics, the teaching of right and wrong; or, in the words of Paul, how we use our freedom to walk in the way of the Spirit rather than in the way of our sinful flesh. We have followed the Ten Commandments to guide … Continue reading Freedom to be content (LD 44)
Tag: Ten Commandments
Freedom to love the Truth (LD 43)
Introduction In the previous lessons we have considered how we ought to deal with other people in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We use our Christian freedom to respect life, relationships, and property of ourselves and others, and to use them according to God’s design. To this list we now add respect … Continue reading Freedom to love the Truth (LD 43)
Freedom to love the Lord with our possessions (LD 42)
Introduction How much stuff do you have? Of how many things can you say: “This belongs to me?” What exactly does that mean? And what are you going to do with all these possessions? Why do you have them to begin with? What is their purpose? This topic of possessions and property is the concern … Continue reading Freedom to love the Lord with our possessions (LD 42)
Folly and freedom in an oversexed world (LD 41, part 2)
Introduction In the previous lesson we discussed the Bible’s teaching about our sexuality. The Lord created men and women with a strong desire to be together, and in the context of love, marriage, and family this is a very good thing. The intimate and passionate nature of sexuality also means that we should protect it … Continue reading Folly and freedom in an oversexed world (LD 41, part 2)
Freedom to love intimately (LD 41, part 1)
Introduction The ten commandments are brief statements with broad meanings. That is especially true for commandments six through nine. We saw that with the sixth commandment: “You shall not kill” is very short, but it teaches us about all our interactions with other people. It is also true for the seventh commandment. “You shall not … Continue reading Freedom to love intimately (LD 41, part 1)
Freedom to submit (LD 39)
Introduction “Honour your father and your mother.” With the fifth commandment, we shift our focus from our relationship with God to our dealings with other people. This is no absolute distinction. We saw, for instance, that the Sabbath principle affects how we deal with those who work for us. And we will see that the … Continue reading Freedom to submit (LD 39)
Freedom to rest in the Lord (LD 38)
Introduction The Ten Commandments are connected to each other; together they present the principles of godly living. Thus, the fourth commandment is closely connected to the first three. In the first commandment the Lord invited us to know him as he is, in the second to worship him properly, in the third to show him … Continue reading Freedom to rest in the Lord (LD 38)
Freedom to honor the Name (LD 36, 37)
Introduction In the first and second commandment we learned to worship the one, true God, and to worship him as he is. “Worship me where I make my Name dwell,” the Lord had told his people. “Praise his holy Name,” sing the psalms. When it comes to worship, the Bible talks about the Name of … Continue reading Freedom to honor the Name (LD 36, 37)
Freedom to worship God as he is (LD 35)
Introduction The first and second commandment are closely related. So closely that in the past they were considered a single commandment together; the Roman Catholic church still calls it the “first commandment”, and they make up for it by splitting the tenth commandment into two parts. The first and second commandments belong so closely together, … Continue reading Freedom to worship God as he is (LD 35)
Freedom to love the one, true God (LD 34, q&a 94-95)
Introduction “I am the LORD, your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” So begin the “Ten Words” or “Ten Commandments”. After our God presented himself as Yahweh, the God who brought the Israelite slaves into freedom, he put their claim … Continue reading Freedom to love the one, true God (LD 34, q&a 94-95)