BIBLE Basics

Then God gave the people all these instructions: "I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:1-17

Meditate. Consider God’s commands.

 

I recently heard that the Ten Commandments are the basis for Christianity and that the rest of the Bible is just commentary. When asked which is the most important command, Jesus specified that the greatest two commands are “Love God” and “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” That statement was challenged by a Bible scholar who thought that the most important one is the first one…Have no other gods before me. All the rest of the commandments fall under that. To respect God by following each of the commandments results in honoring the first commandment. Such is life. 

It doesn’t matter if a person is a Christian or not, the Ten Commandments still regulate most societies. Even atheists acknowledge that there is a god, by stating that they don’t believe in Him. Third World countries even have laws that mandate no killing, stealing, or lying—at least to officials. By obediently observing any of the commandments, we are honoring, loving God. Likewise, by disobeying those very statues we are showing disrespect to God, not love. How are you loving God and loving others in your heart today?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I love God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me to love others…and even to love myself. If You could love everyone, then I should, too. I praise You and thank you for all You have done for mankind…and all that You will do in the future.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. ... For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:9-10, 13-14

 

© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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