The 10 Commandments

"What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions. They are commandments."  (Ted Koppel) * 

* https://www.csmonitor.com/1987/0806/ukop.html

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.” 

When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. 

And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” 

As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was. (Exodus 20:1-21 NLT) * 

* https://biblehub.com/nlt/exodus/20.htm 

The Holy Spirit moved James to tell us: 

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.  For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. (James 2:10-11 NLT) * 

* https://biblehub.com/nlt/james/2.htm 

Pay attention, this will be on the test.  We must examine ourselves carefully and honestly: 

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23 NLT) * 

* https://biblehub.com/nlt/romans/3.htm 

Who of us has not let something matter to us more than God?  We have satisfied our own wants and desires, even though we knew that God forbade it, haven’t we? 

Have you used the name of God when cussing?  Have you used the name of Jesus as an explicative?  I have. 

Some Christians set aside a particular day of the week to devote it to God.  Others treat all days the same. (see Romans 14:5; Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:1-11)  The day we worship on is not the issue I’m addressing here.  The point is how many of us have gone for weeks, months, or even years without giving God a passing thought – or so much as a whispered prayer? 

Have you spoken disrespectfully to your parents?  In anger or resentment I spoke about my parents disrespectfully with my friends.  Absorbed by the struggles of daily living, I neglected my aging mother. 

Maybe we haven’t murdered anyone.  Are there those we have hated?  Have you wished somebody dead?  I had a boss that treated me badly without cause, and I wanted to kill him.  I didn’t, but Jesus said that wanting to murder him is the same thing as murdering him. (Matthew 5:21-22) 

Have you had an affair?  Or do you make it a point to watch the movies starring that particular actor that all the girls think is a “hunk?”  So, what is the harm in enjoying a friendship with your friend’s spouse in which you share a closeness that should be reserved for your husband or wife? There is more than one way to commit adultery. (Matthew 5:27-28) 

Have you ever taken something that didn’t belong to you without permission and without paying for it?  Have you spread false gossip about someone, knowing it wasn’t true? 

Are you jealous of your sister because she has a bigger house, more successful husband, or smarter kids?  Are you secretly resentful of your coworker because he just bought an expensive car? 

The Holy Spirit prompted Paul to explain to us that God gave us the Mosaic law to teach us what sin is. (Romans 7:7)  In this way we are convicted in our hearts of our sin and come to understand our need for a Savior: 

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.  For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.  We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (Romans 3:19-22 NLT) * 

* https://biblehub.com/nlt/romans/3.htm 

Believe in Jesus Christ right now.  Ask Him to save you, and He will give you forgiveness for all your sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)  He will give you the Holy Spirit, living in you, and you will have the knowledge, desire, and strength to live a life that is pleasing to God. (Philippians 1:6; 2:13; 4:13)

CLARIFICATION April 9, 2022 

After reviewing this post, it occurred to me that some readers might mistake my meaning.  Therefore, please let me clarify.  The 10 Commandments apply to Christians.  The 10 Commandments are a simple and clear statement of the expectations that God has for His people. 

The problem is that we are sinners.  Whether we believe in Jesus, follow a different religious tradition, or do not believe in God at all, we cannot faithfully keep the 10 Commandments in our own strength.  We know what sin is because the 10 Commandments tell us what it is. (Romans 7:7)  We are convicted in our hearts that we have sinned when we compare our actions to God’s righteousness as revealed to us by His commandments. 

When we believe in Jesus and are saved, we are given a new nature. (2Corinthians 5:17)  If we give ourselves completely to Jesus we no longer willfully and rebelliously live a sinful lifestyle - but we still sin.  We lie if we deny it. (1John 1:8)  Therefore, God’s law points us to our need for a Savior. 

We are not without hope.  The Holy Spirit who lives in us after we are saved will conform us to become more and more like Jesus. (Romans 8:28-30)  He paid the price for all our sins at the cross; past present and future. (1John 2:2; 1Peter 3:18) When we repent and confess our sins to Him, we are restored to a right relationship with Him by receiving the forgiveness He has already provided for us. (1John 1:9) 

Therefore, God’s law is our standard.  By keeping His commandments we show that we love Him.  (John 14:15)

Truth from Philippians

Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians is only four chapters long.  However, it is full of blessings.  In this unassuming little book, there are so many verses that have become well known.  You think of them, and you say, “It says in the Bible somewhere that …”  The somewhere is often in Philippians: 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV) 

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 ESV) 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:3-11 ESV) 

If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;  as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.  But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:4-8 ESV) 

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.(Philippians 3:18-21 ESV) 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV) 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20 ESV) *

 

* https://biblehub.com/esv/philippians

 

 

"Grace to Help in Time of Need"

In Chapter 7 of his Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul describes our struggle with sin.  As long as we remain in our earthly bodies, as long as we live in this corrupt and immoral world, we struggle with temptation and doing wrong – often in spite of our best intentions to do the right thing.  Even when we try to do good, if we do it in our own strength without God it often turns out wrong. 

No one is exempt.  The secular person finds that they have trouble living up to their own philosophical moral code.  The Hindu, Moslem, and Buddhist struggle to keep their faith as they should.  Even celebrated Christian ministers with large public followings have had moral failures – often disillusioning those who trusted them for leadership. 

Sometimes we want to throw up our hands in exasperation and cry out in the words of Paul: 

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.  (Romans 7:24-25 NASB) * 

Our God is an awesome God, and the Holy Spirit gives us the answer in the first paragraph of the very next chapter (Chapter 8), which shows us how it is done: 

Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do,  weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,  so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,  because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:1-8 NASB) * 

* https://biblehub.com/nasb 

I have had moral failures.  When I am struggling with temptation and sin, I find that singing this old hymn prepares my heart to repent, confess my sins to God, and ask for forgiveness.  Then I can rest in the sure and certain knowledge that I am restored to a right relationship with God. (1John 1:9)  For, Christ has won the battle for me.  He has given us the victory.  Praise God! 

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

(Anonymous)

​I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. 

(Refrain)
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. 

Thro' this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. 

(Refrain)
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. 

When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. 

(Refrain)
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. ** 

** https://amazinghymns.com/just-a-closer-walk-with-thee/

 

 

War Crimes

Persons who advise caution regarding the response of the United States and NATO to the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine have come under severe criticism recently.  Former Congressional Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Tucker Carlson, (host of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News), have been accused of things like being a Russian sympathizer, being a traitor, and cowardice – none of which I believe to be true. 

Tolerance of opposing views is difficult, but it is necessary for a free society.  Let me urge us all to respect each other. We will do well if we embrace the British concept of a “loyal opposition.” 

In a climate of war hysteria those whose views conflict with popular war sentiment may be castigated, disparaged, and slandered.  So, I hope to be clear, concise, correct, and complete when writing about the war in Ukraine. 

It is not my desire to alienate anyone from the primary purpose of Lamp in a Corner, which is to help others to find their way to Christ.  At times the events of this world are urgent, and free people must speak out.  So, it is with a prayer for tolerance that I offer you the following, (much of which is taken directly from Wikipedia): 

There is a lot of talk in the media about Russia committing “war crimes” in Ukraine.  Occasionally, I have heard similar accusations leveled against other nations and groups, including my own.  Do we know what war crimes are?  I did an internet search to find out.  Please let me encourage you to do the same, using search words like war crime, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

It goes beyond the scope of a blog post to provide an inclusive description of war crimes.  I am providing a brief sketch for a quick reference, to help readers to understand the (sometimes loose) talk about war crimes in the media. 

Sources say that there is a distinction between war crimes, international human rights law, and crimes against humanity.  They look similar to me, but I will respect conventional wisdom. 

United Nations 

According to the UN, war crimes include: 

·         Intentional murder of innocent people;

·         Torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments;

·         Willfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health;

·         Compelling a prisoner of war or other protected person to serve in the forces of hostile power;

·         Use of children under the age of sixteen years in the armed forces or groups or using them to participate actively in hostilities;

·         Intentionally directing attacks against civilian populations not taking direct part in hostilities;

·         Extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly;

·         Destroying or seizing the property of an adversary unless demanded by necessities of the conflict;

·         Using poison or poisoned weapons;

·         Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals as long as it's not used as military infrastructure;

·         Willfully depriving a prisoner of war or other protected person of the right to a fair and regular trial;

·         Attacking or bombarding towns, villages, dwellings or buildings which are undefended and which are not military infrastructure;

·         Unlawful deportation, transfer, or unlawful confinement;

·         Taking of hostages.

·         Intentional assault with the knowledge that such an assault would result in loss of life or casualties to civilians or damage to civilian objects or extensive, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment that would be clearly excessive. * 

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_crime 

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), (a.k.a. laws of armed conflict) 

IHL is a type of international law that protects civilians affected by war.  It is intended to limit the suffering of noncombatants.  It defines the responsibilities of combatants and neutrals toward  persons not engaging in hostilities. 

·         Noncombatants, and those who are not taking part in hostilities in situation of armed conflict and neutral parties shall be protected in all circumstances.

·         The wounded and the sick shall be cared for and protected by the party to the conflict which has them in its power. The emblem of the "Red Cross", or of the "Red Crescent," shall be required to be respected as the sign of protection.

·         Captured persons must be protected against acts of violence and reprisals. They shall have the right to correspond with their families and to receive relief.

·         No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

·         Parties to a conflict do not have an unlimited choice of methods and means of warfare.

·         Parties to a conflict shall at all times distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. Attacks shall be directed solely against legitimate military targets.

Laws of War 

Internationally recognized, (but not always accepted), laws of war address things like: 

·         declarations of war;

·         acceptance of surrender;

·         the treatment of prisoners of war;

·         the avoidance of atrocities;

·         the prohibition on deliberately attacking non-combatants; and

·         the prohibition of certain inhumane weapons (land mines, cluster bombs, booby traps, incendiary weapons, blinding lasers, etc.)

·         It is a violation of the laws of war to engage in combat without meeting certain requirements, among them the wearing of a distinctive uniform or other easily identifiable badge, and the carrying of weapons openly. Impersonating soldiers of the other side by wearing the enemy's uniform is allowed, though fighting in that uniform is unlawful perfidy, as is the taking of hostages. * 

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_humanitarian_law 

International Criminal Court 

The International Criminal Court is headquartered in the Hague (Netherlands).  It tries violations of international law committed by nations that have subscribed to it.  Such crimes include genocide and crimes against humanity.  Crimes against humanity are intentional, widespread, systematic attacks and include: 

·         Murder;

·         Extermination;

·         Enslavement;

·         Deportation or forcible transfer of a population;

·         Illegal imprisonment;

·         Torture;

·         Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, and any other form of sexual violence;

·         Cultural, religious, racial, or gender persecution;

·         Enforced disappearance;

·         Apartheid. 

Lamp in a Corner supports obedience to all human laws that do not contradict God’s Word as provided to us in the Holy Bible.  The Bible calls the Antichrist the “man of lawlessness.” (2Thessalonians 2:3)  It is not our purpose here to disrespect any law that is consistent with Biblical principles. 

It seems, however, that the idea of war crimes misses the point.  War is by its very nature a crime against humanity.  The taking of human life without due process of law is always a crime, and only becomes “justifiable homicide” when it is necessary to use force to defend ourselves and others from an attack. 

America must do all that is reasonable to avoid war.  If we are compelled to go to war, then our duty is to do everything possible to win.  We should not allow our enemies to find sanctuary, no matter where they run to.  We should find, fix, close with and destroy all enemy combatants, until they are unable and unwilling to continue hostilities.  We owe that to our troops and our people. 

To the extent possible, the United States must avoid collateral damage to civilian populations and property.  However, some of our enemies mingle with civilian populations and fire on us from behind human shields.  They place surface to air missiles in schoolyards.  Factories that make war material are located near residential neighborhoods.  We must do all we can to keep noncombatants from getting caught in the crossfire, but when they get hurt, the responsibility falls on the cowardly persons who hide amongst them. 

Obedience to the law is who we are.  Some of our enemies commit war crimes and atrocities.  That is not the American way.  We must not allow them to drag us down to their level. 

I like U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.  I will always be grateful to him for advocating for a strong national defense and for the Second Amendment.  If I were a resident of South Carolina I would vote for him.  He was wrong, however, when he called on the Russian people to overthrow Vladimir Putin by “any means necessary.”  Murder is morally wrong.  Advocating it is not consistent with the traditional values Sen. Graham stands for, and the comment was not worthy of him.  We all hope the Russian people will throw Putin out, but not “by any means necessary.” 

Finally, I have provided information about what a war crime is.  Make up your own mind about whether the Russian Federation is committing war crimes in Ukraine.  I have.

DST for You and Me?

Daylight saving time started here today.  This thing is forced upon us every year.  It makes me wonder about how the daylight is saved.

Is it deposited in a bank somewhere?  If so, is it a local bank, a national bank, or a central bank like the Federal Reserve?  Does it earn interest, and if so how is the interest compounded? 

What happens if there is a run on the banks?  Is the daylight backed by the FDIC?  Will people begin hoarding daylight, and how will they do it?  Can they put it in a coffee can and hide it in their backyards? 

What is done with the daylight that is saved?  Is it loaned out, and to whom?  How is the lending rate fixed?  If the Interest on the loans is too low, does the economy get flooded with too much daylight?  Is the daylight devalued if it is too plentiful, or if the lending rate goes up will there be enough daylight to go around? 

If the government uses more daylight than it takes in, can it make more?  Whose daylight serves as the baseline by which the daylight of other nations is valued? 

It seems to me that daylight saving time creates more problems than it solves. Hawaii and Arizona seem to be able to get along just fine without it. Perhaps we should do away with it.

Give the Little Guy a Break

 

While serving in the U.S. Army, I was fortunate to be stationed in Germany for two and a half years.  My unit was deployed in the countryside, away from large cities, and the people were usually friendly there.  Where I lived, the local Gasthaus (or inn) was a gathering place where people socialized, drank beer, and talked things over.  At a Gasthaus, you can enjoy a great meal, have a few beers, and get acquainted with your neighbors. 

As was sometimes the case, one night the talk around the table turned to politics and current events.  The Germans can get boisterous, and discussions can get a bit “animated.”  That night, one guy at the table decided it was time to tone things down a bit, and he said something like, “Was können wir tun? Wir sind nur die kleinen Leute.” (What can we do? We are just the little people.)  There was a lot of wisdom in that. 

It doesn’t matter how people are labeled: Japanese, Italians, Americans, Brazilians, Chinese, Nigerians, or Pakistanis.  The vast majority of us are, “nur die kleinen Leute.” 

I wish the political, military, and business leaders of the world could get it through their heads that most people are just plain folks.  All everyman wants is a chance to do meaningful work for fair and just compensation.  We want to raise our kids, worship as we choose, love our spouses, and maybe watch a little TV.  The last thing we want is to send our kids off to war or have somebody drop a bomb on our house.  That isn’t much to ask, is it? 

We the people do not know everything, but we do know that we would all be better off if the human race could learn to resolve our differences peacefully.  We know that we are all diminished when we resort to violence - regardless of what the constant stream of revenge, fighting, and killing that is fed to us by the entertainment media seems to try to teach us. 

I am not a pacifist.  If I must use force to prevent myself, or others, from being injured or killed by an aggressor, I will.  The world is a dangerous place.  If we are not willing to defend what is rightfully ours, bad people will take it away. 

Although we have the right to defend ourselves, I only hope that one day humankind will learn that we would all be better off if we live in peace. 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

(Matthew 5:9 NASB)

 

None say it Better Than "The Great Burns"

 

Man's Inhumanity to Man

by Robert Burns 

 

Many and sharp the numerous ills
Inwoven with our frame;
More pointed still, we make ourselves
Regret, remorse and shame;
And man, whose heaven-erected face
The smiles of love adorn,
Man's inhumanity to man,
Makes countless thousands mourn. * 

 

* https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/mans-inhumanity-man