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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: PURE (09/06/24)
There is only One who is perfect in every way—and it’s not me. It’s not you, either. We have all failed.

How do I know this? It’s simple. Here’s a list of commandments God gave us:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall make no idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

Feeling condemned yet? Let's take a closer look.

God gave these Ten Commandments for several reasons:

• To show us what righteous living looks like.
• To reveal the standard by which He wants us to live.
• To clarify His expectations for us.
• To give us the knowledge of sin.
• To demonstrate that no one can perfectly keep the law.

What does this mean for us? Since no one has perfectly obeyed the law, we are all guilty of disobedience and therefore deserving of God's judgment. Purity and righteousness cannot be achieved through human effort alone.

But there’s hope: God sent His Son, Jesus, who perfectly kept the law. He alone was pure and fulfilled all the law’s requirements on our behalf. As a result, we can be freed from the law of sin and death. By believing in Jesus and His completed work, we are saved. He cleanses us, makes us pure, and pays the wages of our sin: death.

So, where does that leave the law? Keeping the law is good and right, but it doesn't save us. Salvation is only by faith in Jesus because we can’t fulfill the law on our own; He fulfilled it for us. However, God still desires that we live according to His commandments. Doing so ensures that our lives are the best they can be.

For example, take the commandment, "You shall not steal." This command still applies to how we should live. Stealing is wrong, and we should avoid it. If we do steal, God convicts us. The same goes for all the commandments. When we confess our wrongdoing and turn from it, God forgives us and restores us to righteousness.

Yes, Jesus came to fulfill the law, as Romans 5:31 (NKJV) says:

"Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not. On the contrary, we establish the law."

Although the law doesn’t save us, it still serves as a guide for our lives. When we fail, God is faithful in forgiving us and restoring us to purity when we seek His forgiveness. He is the only way.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Kristine Stanton
09/12/24
We are truly blessed to have such a forgiving and patient Creator. He never gives up on us. His Mercy and Grace are beyond measure. Thank you for this reminder and for sharing your beautiful talent. Well done.
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
09/12/24
A good reminder that we can do nothing to wipe away the blot of sin.
Blessings