Privileged Obedience

Read: Exodus 20:12-17

When my grandson was very young, I read the ten commandments to him and he was fascinated. The second time through them, he voluntarily checked himself on every item, saying “I have never done that,” “Not guilty of that one,” “Yes, I honor my father and my mother,” until we reached number 7, “You shall not commit adultery.” He looked up at me sadly and confessed, “I must have done that 1000 times.” Gentle questioning revealed that he understood adultery to mean the desire to be an adult, coveting privileges like independence, money, and driving a car.

We think of ourselves as adults with similar privileges, especially with the right to make our own ethical decisions. We often practice situational ethics, believing that our circumstances determine how strictly we should keep these last 6 commandments. And we prioritize them, thinking for example that murder is worse than false testimony, or that coveting can’t be wrong if it doesn’t hurt anyone.

God was giving not examples but definitive boundaries, for the privileged people of God. Obedience is a privilege, yet in these words from God it is not optional. Jesus took obedience further, making it a matter of the heart (Matthew 5:21 ff.). Christians are called to obedience to the gospel of love in order to fulfill the law.

Prayer: Loving God, may we honor you as our Parent, trust your word to show us the way, and be obedient. Amen.

Betsy Lunz