Foreword:
The following exerpt is taken from The Ten
Commandments by Arthur W. Pink
(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)
In this blog series I will work through this very
important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style
questions at the end. In our day, when people who identify themselves as
Christians are so sensitive to any accusation of legalism that they tend to
swing all the way out to antinomianism (that is lawlessness), it is perhaps now
more than ever that we ought to prayerfully re-examine the Ten Commandments –
and few do it better than Arthur Pink (1886 - 1952). I found
this article to be very convicting as I first worked through it. And, lest we
think we the church are not in need of this labour, let us be reminded that
those whom Jesus will reject on the last Day even though they did many mighty
works in his name, were accused by our Lord of not just having no intimate
relationship with him (‘I never knew you’), but also that they were accused as
workers of lawlessness by our Lord. The Law of God does not save, nor does it
keep one saved – none the less we are called to obedience to it who are saved –
but enough of me – here is Arthur Pink…
"And tenth and finally, we consider (the Decalogue’s)
interpretation. "Thy commandment" said the Psalmist "is
exceeding broad" (119:96). So comprehensive is the Moral Law that its
authority extends to all the moral actions of our lives. The rest of the
Scriptures are but a commentary on the Ten Commandments, either exciting us to
obedience by arguments, alluring us by promises, restraining from
transgressions by threatenings, or spurring us to the one and withholding us
from the other by examples recorded in the historical portions. Rightly
understood the precepts of the New Testament are but explications,
amplifications, and applications of the Ten Commandments. It should be
carefully observed that in the things expressly commanded or forbidden there is
always implied more than is formally stated. But let us be more specific.
First, in each Commandment the chief duty or sin is taken as representative of
all the lesser duties or sins, and the overt act is taken as representative of
all related affections. Whatever specific sin be named, all the sins of the
same kind, with all the causes and provocations thereof, are forbidden, for
Christ expounded the sixth commandment as condemning not only actual murder,
but also rash anger in the heart. Second, when any vice is forbidden, the
contrary virtue is enjoined, and when any virtue is commanded, the contrary
vice is condemned. For example, in the third God forbids the taking of His name
in vain, so by necessary consequence the hallowing of His name is commanded.
And as the eighth forbids stealing, so it requires the contrary duty-earning
our living and paying for what we receive (Eph. 4:28)."
1) What does the psalmist mean by “exceeding broad”? How did
Jesus exaplain this concept in more detail when talking of murder and adultery
(see Matthew 5:21 and 5:27)?
2) It is breathtaking how consistent the Lord is. His
character is revealed throughout scripture and it is the same. Look at Pink’s
correct observation: “in each Commandment the chief duty or sin is taken as
representative of all the lesser duties or sins, and the overt act is taken as
representative of all related affections”. So here we see that the way God
instructs is to highlight the highest degree of an issue or make the greatest
possible demand so that all the lesser possibilities are covered. Consider the
following scriptures therefore:
a)
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25) – conclusion – be prepared to
die for your wife o husband but surely then there are lesser things than dying
which should be done – like housework or paying attention or keeping your
sexual fidelity.
b)
“Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should
submit to their husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:24) – conclusion – the
church obeys, adores and serves Christ, does it not? Therefore wives should do
likewise or at the very least let the husband lead and support his decisions in
humble submission. Does the church nag or complain about Jesus?
c)
“So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to
those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13) and also: “He who did not spare His own
Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely
give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) – conclusion – if even fallen man knows how
to look after his own children and God the Father was willing to give up his
Son, do we even need to question or doubt what the eternal future with Him will
be like? Should we be anxious that he will neglect us in any way? Should we
fret over the details of the eternal state?
3) “Whatever specific sin be named, all the sins of the same
kind, with all the causes and provocations thereof, are forbidden”. How does
this truth obliterate any argument made by people who want to promote
homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle within the Christian church? Since God
defines what marriage is in scripture then the seventh commandment covers every
act of sexuality outside of biblical marriage and condemns it. Do you agree?
How does the Bible define marriage?
4) “…when any vice is forbidden, the contrary virtue is
enjoined, and when any virtue is commanded, the contrary vice is condemned”.
Consider the list of commandments below. Can you reword each to highlight its
complimentary or reflex commandment? For example: “You shall not covet”
could become “you shall be satisfied and grateful for God’s provision in your
life now because you bear an eternal promise.”
1 You shall have no other gods
before Me.
2 You shall not make idols.
3 You shall not take the name
of the LORD your God in vain.
4 Remember the Sabbath day, to
keep it 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.
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