Word of Prayer: Where does God fit in your Life…..

By Guest Columnist James Allen

 “I am the Lord thy God, which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exod. 20:2 – 3).

The Ten Commandments are the cornerstone upon which Western civilization has built its house. When men ignore or defy these ten principles, the house begins to fall. The Ten Commandments are not ten statements from an arbitrary and capricious God; they are a revelation of the religious and moral attitudes and practices that are absolutely necessary if life is to be worthwhile.

The law of gravity is basic to life on the earth. There is no way by which mankind can do away with this law. So it is with the Ten Commandments. They are as necessary for a wholesome society as the law of gravity is to our physical universe.

The Ten Commandments are divided into two sections: The first four have to do with a person’s relationship and duty to God, and the remaining six have to do with a person’s attitude toward and relationship to fellow humans.

Duty to God stands first and lays the needful foundations for the right discharge of our duties to others. The love of God is the foundation of all love to our fellowmen. Neglect the spiritual duties to God, and you will soon neglect your duties to your neighbors.

I. The first commandment declares the authority of God.

A.    People have a tendency to reject the authority of God. People are inclined to substitute the authority of their own personal whims or the authority of tradition or the authority of fleeting fads and fashions for the authority of God.

B.    God’s authority is based on three great principles:
    1.    The principle of creation (Ps. 19). We are his property: he owes us nothing, and we owe him everything. He has the right to rule. Loyalty to anything or anyone that conflicts with your loyalty to God can ever be legitimate.
    2.    The principle of redemption. In the Old Testament, God redeemed his people from bondage in Israel. In the New Testament, he sent his Son Jesus Christ to redeem people of all ages from their sin.
    3.    The principle of providence. As the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness toward the Promised Land, God adequately provided for their needs, even supernaturally supplying manna every morning. Today, the God who feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies of the field continues to provide for those who both work and put their faith in him (Matt. 6:26 – 30). Our loyalty to our God should be absolutely unmixed and unshared.

If people lack a constant awareness of the true God, they are in danger of sinking into sub humanity, for, if they do not see life as belonging to the true God, they will live as if they belong to a false god.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Reverend James Allen is the Senior Pastor of Harvest of Hope Christian Center 3091 South Liberty Street, Canton Ms 39046. Pastor Allen lives in Canton with his wife Eyvette Allen.