Law, Gospel, and the Bottom Line

“I am the Lord your God…

“You shall have no other gods before Me…

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain…

“Our Father in heaven,

“hallowed be your name.

“Thy Kingdom come…

I AM:  I love you, so I created you. I designed your unique being with gifts and talents.  These have a purpose. Use them. Share them. You will eventually understand them, both the gifts and their purposes, I promise.

Each and every one of you has the choice to accept My gift of faith.  I know your choice and I love you enough to let you make it.  Know this, no matter your choice, don’t trifle with Me.  Don’t lose sight of who I AM. Mock Me at your peril. I have the power to let Satan play with your life and I have the power to save you from yourself.

“Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy…

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I AM: This is the day we shall enjoy together.  We shall celebrate the fruits of your weekly labors and My daily blessings.  It is the time we will take to share in the joy of our devotion to one another.  My praises will fall from your lips. I will nourish your souls and hearts with My spirit.  Faith, like love, is an action word.   Good rest and nourishment send faith forth to follow the voice of The Good Shepherd.

“Honor your father and your mother….

“Give us this day our daily bread,

I AM: Family.  It is the framework I provide for you, by which you may prosper.  Designed to teach you, by modeling, how to care for others through their care for you−what love in action is.  Family is to be the safety harness that lets you explore and reels you in before you go too far.  Family is the apparatus that should distill encouragement, humility, wisdom, and obedience into personal integrity.  True thanksgiving for what I provide for you through your mother and father honors them and Me.  It sustains you.  (A quick note to parents: Be honorable!)

“You shall not murder.

“Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.

I AM: The wanton destruction of an iota of what I have made—person, animal, vegetable, or mineral—is unacceptable.  Murder, the willful taking of a life for personal gain, is an egregious sin.  Such disregard for My creations will cost you dearly.  Earthly justice is but a portion of what such destruction causes you to bear, often long before you answer to Me. My commands are for your well-being as much as for those whom you live amongst.

People are going to hurt you.  That does not give you the excuse to hurt them back or, worse, to hurt somebody else instead.  You are going to hurt people—sometimes on purpose and many, many times without meaning to cause pain. 

I am in the forgiveness business.  Due to the large volume of repeat customers, the repentance department is my busiest sector.  Love your neighbors as yourself.  Forgive them, seek their forgiveness, and accept Mine. 

“You shall not commit adultery.

“You shall not steal.

“You shall not bear false witness…

“And lead us not into temptation,

I AM: The elements of a fallen world hammer at your soul every waking moment.  Temptations abound to indulge in sexual impurity, to take what is not yours, and to deceive.  Opportunities present themselves continually.  I know this and have not left you defenseless.  The Holy Spirit will guide you. Lift up your cross each day and follow My Son.  I will lead you down that narrow road paved in My mercy.

“You shall not covet…

“But deliver us from evil.

I AM: I can safeguard you from the evil that tries to creep into your heart and from the evil that creeps out of the hearts of others.  For evil starts in the heart—rooted in discontentment that erodes your purpose, tries to erase My Word, and silence My voice—becoming the sins of your mind and hands. I have delivered you through the death and resurrection of My Son.  Grasp His cross and He will deliver you Home. I would be so pleased to welcome you.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

Law: Exodus 20:1-17

Gospel: Matthew 6:9-13

Bottom Line: Dear Father, glorious I AM, may these words correctly express Your Word.