GOD'S WISDOM

 

The value of the Ten Commandments cannot be overstated. I have heard it said in the Church that the Commandments were given us for our protection and I cannot agree more. The commandments are our most valuable asset in this life and the second is our moral agency to choose to obey. If it wasn’t for our agency we would be subject to this world of sin and corruption and would naturally cleave to evil.

Consider the pull of sin and how devastating it is to our spiritual well-being:

“Whoever said that sin was not fun? Whoever claimed that Lucifer was not handsome, persuasive, easy, and friendly? Sin is attractive and desirable. Transgression wears elegant gowns and sparkling apparel. It is highly perfumed; it has attractive features, and a soft voice.

“It is found in educated circles and sophisticated groups. It provides sweet and comfortable luxuries. Sin is easy and has a big company of pleasant companions. It promises immunity from restrictions and temporary freedoms. It can momentarily satisfy hunger, thirst, desire, urges, passions, wants, without immediately paying the price. But, it begins tiny and grows to monumental proportions – drop by drop, inch by inch.”

-          President Spencer W. Kimball, “Faith Precedes The Miracle” p 229)

“It is true that the great principle of repentance is always available, but for the wicked and rebellious there are serious reservations to this statement. For instance, sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return…As the transgressor moves deeper and deeper in his sin, and the error is entrenched more deeply and the will to change is weakened, it becomes increasingly near-hopeless, and he skids down and down until either he does not want to climb back or he has lost the power to do so.”

-          President Spencer W. Kimball, “The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969] p 117)

We fought for our spiritual freedom in pre-mortal life (Rev 12:7-11; Moses 4:1-4). It is interesting to observe the world today and see how we have convoluted the meaning of this principle. It is most obvious in the way people are not willing to obey the laws of the land. The cry seems to be, “I have my rights, I can do whatever I want”. This is the world’s definition of freedom.  Pride is corrupting us as we reject correction from any source and insist on a ‘me’ society. This is Satan’s doctrine and his path to eventual destruction.

The Ten Commandments are as relative today as they were when they were first given and never more needed than today. They not only offer personal freedom but they also bring order to a society. I cannot look at one and think it is not needed. Our obedience to them brings honour, self-respect and spiritual strength beyond our own. The wisdom of our God is beyond understanding. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Keep My Commandments by B. Laura Wilson)