I was thinking about the Ten Commandments and thought I’d do a little comparison. What does God want versus what does humanity provide based on the big ten. Following is a list contrasting the two. 

Here are a few comments to consider before the lists. God’s list prefers God and others in all behavior. The sinner’s list does not. God’s list requires sacrifice of the individual. The sinner’s list requires sacrifice of others. In God’s list, the individual is accountable. The sinner’s list makes others accountable. God’s list provides for relationship, community safety, trust, and productive interaction. The other does not provide for any such trustworthy behavior.

Humans are impure creatures. I have met many passionate people, but none that were pure in their passions. There always seems to be some wavering, somewhere inside. We see publicly how private things can corrupt otherwise beautiful people. Some preachers have been passionate about the Bible until they were caught with their hands on the money or adultery, or ? 

I guess for humans it is a matter of degree. “I’m not a murderer” may disguise a person who has betrayed others, taken advantage of others, or spoken lies that hurt others. I find that the first person I lie to is myself because I want to see myself in a good light, even if that is not a true mirror image. 

I confess that I value the first ten below, but constantly fight being pulled in the direction of the second ten. I am committed to Jesus, but also to myself. I am embarrased by my failures and don’t want others to see them when I should rather be honest before myself, the Lord, and others. Learning to be a transparent person, instead of an Adam searching for a fig leaf and an opportunity to blame others, is a challenge from small to large, every day. I’m human. 

The cross is critical because all relationships require forgiveness. Forgive me please. God is still working on me, and I’m not there yet.

▾ Laws of God and man

▾ Bible Ten commandments

• 1. You shall have no other gods before me
• 2. You shall make no idols
• 3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
• 4. Keep the sabbath day holy
• 5. 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 bear false witness against your neighbor
• 10. You shall not covet

▾ Sinners big ten

• 1. I am most important. Whatever I want should dictate the circumstances and people around me.
• 2. Things and people are most important to me when they serve my pleasure or best interest. I will sometimes be thoughtful of those things that bless me.
• 3. Cursing is power. It shows my anger, displeasure, and it degrades those things and people less than me.
• 4. I work and play until I have enough money or pleasure, and there is never enough. I’ll rest when I die.
• 5. Mom and dad’s purpose in life is to take care of me and make me happy.
• 6. Anyone or anything that gets in my way is disposable. I can destroy it or get rid of it in any way that is expedient.
• 7. Sex is pleasure. I feel free to take or require it from anyone regardless of what it may cost them or others I’m committed to, from lurid comments or actions on my part to complete use of their body.
• 8. I should have what I want, and I feel free to acquire what I want in any way I can. Laws don’t apply to me.
• 9. I say what I want others to accept or believe. The truth is irrelevant if it does not serve my desires.
• 10. My appetite grows every time I see something I want. I grow to meet my appetites because they must be fed.