The Ten Commandments (NKJV)

The Ten Commandments Many people believe that if they keep God’s ten commandments, then God will surely let them into Heaven. God’s commands are good, but God did not give them to us so that we could earn our way to Heaven by trying to keep His laws. The commandments were given to teach us that we are all sinners, and that we need a Savior (see Galatians 3:24). Here is a summarized version of the 10 commandments: 1. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2. You shall not make gods or worship them (Idolatry). 3. You shall not use the Lord’s name in vain. 4. You shall keep the Sabbath Day holy. 5. You shall honor your father and mother. 6. You shall not murder. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not give false witness against your neighbor. 10. You shall not covet you neighbors property. Have you been keeping all of God’s commandments? Some people claim that they have kept God’s rules, but the truth is we have all fallen short and fail to keep His perfect standard. Most everyone would admit that they have stolen something, or have used the Lord’s name in vain, or desired to have some item that belonged to someone else. I do not know anyone who could honestly say they have always loved God perfectly, and have never put anything ahead of God (which is idolatry). Whether we think we can keep God’s Law or not, the Bible says we are sinners. “For all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Bible also says, “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). Since the Bible condemns us, and we are unrighteous before God, then we are in very serious trouble if we can’t find a solution to our problem.Fortunately, God loves our souls and has already taken care of our problem. While God can never let a guilty sinner into His Heaven, He is able to forgive a sinner when the sinner looks to Jesus on the cross. Jesus died to pay the full penalty for all of man’s sin, and He offers to all people a Savior and a way of salvation. No matter how hard a person may try to earn their way to Heaven by being good, or keeping God’s commands, he will never measure up to God’s righteous standard. Only through the death, burial, and rising from the dead of the Lord Jesus Christ can we find the answer to our sin problem. The Bible calls everyone to place their trust in Him as the only way to Heaven. Note carefully what the Bible actually says about how to be saved, and how to get to Heaven: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5) “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) These verses teach us that salvation is by faith in Jesus, and not by our good works. This is a very important teaching from the Bible to understand, because our eternal welfare rests upon it! If you have been trusting in your efforts to keep God’s commands, or your own works of righteousness, then admit this by prayer to the Lord Jesus today. Confess to Him how you have misunderstood the gospel mes- sage, but now you want to trust Him as your only way to Heaven. There is not a person living today who can claim that they have kept all of God’s commands perfectly. Some might think they have done what God demands, but this only shows that they do not really understand the perfection that God requires in keep- ing His laws. The Bible states, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). If you have never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, or you have been trusting in your own efforts to get to Heaven, then please take this opportunity to make peace with God. While you read this tract, just pause for a moment and pray to receive Jesus by faith, and confess to Him that you do not want to trust in anything, except in Him, for your salvation. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). If you have placed your trust in Jesus as your only hope for reaching Heaven, then the Bible can assure you of salvation. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). May the Lord bless you as you place your faith in Jesus Christ!