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Volume. XXI, No. 29 Book Review on Gods rules for holiness by Dr. Peter Masters(Dr Peter Masters has been the minister of the world—famous metropolitan Tabernacle (Spurgeon’s) in central This book which has as its subtitle ‘Unfolding the Ten Commandments’, shows that the Commandments are far greater than their surface meaning. The Commandments challenge us as Christians on a still wider range of sinful deeds and attitudes . They provide positive virtues as goals and they give immense help for staying close to the Lord in our walk and worship. The introductions also say that the commandments are vital for godly living and for greater blessing but we need to enter into the panoramic view they provide of the standards and goals for redeemed people. The book gives five keys for unlocking the commandments. In summary they are: They show God’s character - The moral code of the Ten Commandments reveals God’s wonderful nature and divine attributes e.g. the eighth commandment ‘Thou shalt not steal’ reflects the wonderful character of the Lord, who is the great giver and not the spoiler of men. God’s blessings are countless and free and His people are to resemble Him by being those who give out, not those who sponge, feed upon, or drain away the resources (and emotional strength) of others as the eighth commandment goes well beyond the act of physical theft. Sadly, many Christians who have never stolen anything material in their lives are passengers and burdens in their churches, and are therefore thieves, contributing nothing by way of spiritual witness or effort They keep their full authority today - Some people ask why the civil and ceremonial laws, which God gave to Moses, be swept away while the Ten Commandments keep their authority. All these secondary laws, both civil and ceremonial, were intended to operate only until Christ came, even though their underlying principles have many lessons and applications for today. The Ten Commandments stand above them all as the abiding moral law of God. They were designed for believers - even though they are binding on all mankind, when their full contents are recognized, they are especially relevant to Christian people, even providing rules for worship and for the structure of the church. Though they also include stern prohibitions, they are designed to be a blessing to those who love the Lord. Each Commandment covers a whole family of sins - this key has dramatic effect on how we apply the Commandments, for if this key is neglected, our understanding of the Commandments becomes superficial. This fourth key is the belief that each sin named in the Commandments represents an entire species of sin. According to Dr Masters, Moses demonstrated this principle in several passages and the New Testament confirms it repeatedly. For example, the commandment against adultery also covers lust in the heart. The Commandment against murder includes hatred. Therefore, where a Commandment forbids a major sin, all the ‘lesser’ sins in the same family are to be included in the scope of that Commandment. All the Commandments though mainly expressed in the negative forms, are also commands to perform the opposite positive virtues. For example: - The First Commandment ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me’. - Opposite virtues - Putting God First (that in all things he might have the preeminence’ Col.1:18) - The Second Commandment ‘Thou shalt not make... any graven image’ - Opposite positive virtue - Faith in God - which is the basis of all acceptable communication with God. (It is a choice between images or faith, because the former will always destroy the latter.) At this point, I will leave the other opposite positive virtues to you all to discover when you read the book. In conclusion, I would like to say that we really need holiness, for without it , there can be no real expression of love for Christ, for He said, “if ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Love in Him, Dn. Ngie Goo Gong |
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