2023_04_12 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Exodus 19-20, Matthew 5
Several years ago, Outback Steakhouse had the slogan, “No rules, just right.” It’s kind of catchy, for sure, but the reality is that it’s nonsense. If you were to examine any of their restaurants, you would discover numerous rules and regulations that are designed to ensure that things are done right. Good rules create an atmosphere where the right things can flourish. Food freshness, storage, and cooking temperatures, cleaning of utensils, surfaces and hands, fire safety equipment, occupancy limits… you get the idea. Good rules that are adopted and followed lead to good outcomes.
The same is true in our relationship with God and others. The Ten Commandments show us the ways of God and how that leads to a good life. They are divided into 2 main categories: the first four are about our relationship with God, and the last six are about our relationships with others. As we understand the meaning behind them, we discover two very important realities (1) God’s character and values are solid and trustworthy, and (2) Try as we might, if we are honest, we know that we fall short in following them even with our best effort. The Commandments reveal both God’s desires and our failures. Knowing this opens our eyes to our need for a Savior. God knew this and, from the beginning, prepared us for the answer: His son Jesus.
Without rules, we can never know what is right. With a relationship with Jesus, we can be made right! Here is how Paul says it, “The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.” Galatians 3:24 (NLT)
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor