Law and Worship: The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20)

[Sung Psalm: 97]

Last week we heard God say to Israel: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (19:5-6)

The Ten Commandments are the heart of what it means to obey God’s voice and keep his covenant. Therefore, to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation means to be characterized by this Law.

Let me put it another way: when you live a life characterized by these commandments – when this Law (this Torah) is written on your heart, then you are living a life that is in harmony with the One who created all things.

I’ve noticed over the years that when I live this way, life is good. No, it’s not that everything goes my way – it's not the health-and-wealth gospel that you hear from prosperity preachers. Rather, when I live this way, I find myself in harmony with God, with others, with all creation, and with myself.

And, not surprisingly, when I don’t live this way, I’m not in harmony with God, others, creation, or myself.

And – here’s the important part – you can’t isolate the way you treat other people from the way you treat God....