This week, Pastor Ted Wilson talks about the law of God, the subject of the nineteenth fundamental belief of the Seventh-day Adventists.
Our first fundamental belief states that “the Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history.”
In line with this, Psalm 119:105 (KJV) says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” It is upon God’s Word—the Bible—that all our fundamental beliefs are based.
Now, let’s focus on Fundamental Belief #19: The Law of God.
Remember Moses at Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments written by God’s own hand on two tables of stone? These commandments were so important that before writing them down, He spoke them to the Israelites, reminding them that He is the “Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:2).
But God’s law existed long before it was written upon the tables of stone. It has existed since eternity.
In summary, the first four commandments describe how we show our love to God:
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You shall have no other gods before Me.
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You shall not make for yourself any idols.
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You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
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Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
On the other hand, the following six commandments describe how we show love to others:
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Honor your father and your mother.
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You shall not kill.
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You shall not commit adultery.
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You shall not steal.
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You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
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You shall not covet.