The following poem is about taking an Agatha Christie approach to the 10 commandments. See if you can guess where each commandment is being referenced.
10 great commandments
but with a self-image so fine,
when it came time to worship
we bowed down to 9.
9 great commandments
but with activity so great,
when we could have had rest
we settled for 8.
8 great commandments
but with no knowledge of heaven,
when we did address God
we swore there were 7.
7 great commandments
but our hands worked so quick
to make glorious images
and an alter for 6.
6 great commandments
but were not feeling alive,
so we lusted for others
and loved only 5.
5 great commandments
but thinking we're poor,
we kept up with the Joneses
by covetting 4.
4 great commandments
but not not feeling free,
we neglected our parents
while honoring 3.
3 great commandments
but with nothing to do,
we helped spread a rumor
having heard there were 2.
2 great commandments
and would not be outdone,
so we stole from the needy
and left only 1.
1 great commandment
and with no need for a gun,
our words became weapons
and now there are none.
No great commandments
and isn't it odd;
now that we have what we've wanted
it is time to face God.
What my fellow Christians who want to publicly post the 10 commandments must realize is that, according to the NT, the first purpose of the 10 commandments is to show us our sin. So rather than looking at the 10 commandments with pride, the 10 commandments should cause us to look at ourselves with shame. But not only should the commandments cause us to look at ourselves with shame, they should prevent us from looking down on others because we are in as much need of mercy as anyone else. If we were to take seriously this first purpose of the 10 commandments, we would be met with much less resistance when preaching the same commandments.
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