The Ten Commandments
Scripture Reading —
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
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A stop sign on a nearby streetcorner is visible from our front yard. I often notice how people observe this traffic regulation. Some drivers come to a full stop before crossing the intersection. Many others merely slow down before rolling on through it. Some drivers don’t slow down at all.
If we’re honest, most of us will admit that we don’t always agree with or even obey some laws. Some laws make perfect sense to us, and we readily obey them. But we might ignore other laws, like when we drive up to a stop sign that can seem unnecessary or inconvenient.
But what about God’s laws? The Old Testament is filled with laws, rules, and regulations. Lots of dietary and ceremonial rules that applied to God’s people before Jesus came are obsolete today. Jesus fulfilled those when he died to pay for our sin once for all () and then rose from the grave to give us new life. But the Ten Commandments are not optional. Jesus summarized those when he taught about loving God and loving our neighbors (). The Ten Commandments tell us how we are to live in response to God and with the people around us.
This month, as we reflect on the Ten Commandments, we will see how relevant they are for our everyday lives.
Father God, only in loving and obeying you, as we have learned through Jesus, can we find peace, joy, and new life. Help us to live for you and to share your love and good news with neighbors everywhere. Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the former director of ReFrame Ministries and Executive Editor of Today, serving from August 2012 through July 2026. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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