Exodus 20:1-17 The First and The Last, Particularly

God presented His primary requirements to the Israelites Himself!  My commentary said, "The privilege of freedom brings with it the responsibility to use that freedom wisely for the glory of God and the good of others ... The law was never given as a way of salvation for either Jews or Gentiles ... Salvation is not a reward for good works but the gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  The law reveals God's righteousness and demands righteousness, but it can't give righteousness; only Jesus can do that.  The law is a mirror that reveals where you're dirty, but you don't wash your face in the mirror.  Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from sin."

My commentary also said that the first and tenth commandments deal with what's in the heart, while the other eight focus on outward actions that begin in the heart.  "Covetous people will break all of God's commands in order to satisfy their desires, because at the heart of sin is the sin in the heart.  To covet is to feed inward desires for anything that God says is sinful ... Only God can change our sinful hearts and give us the love we need to obey Him and to care for others."

Father, give me the desires of my heart -- the ones You want me to have.  Take away any others.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford