The Christian Ten Commandments

E. Stanley Jones was a missionary, a theologian, and a prolific writer. In his devotional book titled In Christ he points out how the requirements of God can only be met in us by the indwelling Christ:

"This sentence is illuminating: 'Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.' (I Thess. 5:16-18) This portion is taken from what might be considered Paul's ten commandments:

(1) 'Admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.'
(2) 'See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.'
(3) 'Rejoice always.'
(4) 'Pray constantly.'
(5) 'Give thanks in all circumstances.'
(6) 'Do not quench the Spirit.'
(7) 'Do not despise prophesying.'
(8) 'Test everything.'
(9) 'Hold fast what is good.'
(10) 'Abstain from every form of evil.' (I Thess. 5:14-17.)

"These ten commandments are vital and Christian. They can be applied to all in Christ since it is stated in one set of them: 'this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.' It must apply to all. So they could all be called 'the ten commandments for those in Christ.'

"Paul adds something to save it from being a legalism: 'May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.' (I Thess. 5:23-24.)

"Without these two verses these ten commandments would lay an impossible burden on the will and would be a counsel of perfection. If these commandments are a demand, however, the two additional verses are an offer: 'May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly'--you do not have to struggle to fulfill these high commands; God Himself will sanctify you wholly and will keep you sound and blameless in spirit, mind, and body. Then comes the clincher: 'He who calls you is faithful and he will do it.' These ten commandments turn from legalism to a life--a life offered by grace--He Himself will sanctify and keep you, and 'he will do it.' Don't struggle to fulfill these--be receptive of grace.

"O Lord God, Thy commandments are Thy enablings. Nothing is laid on our wills without Thy adequate reinforcements. Thy commandments are Thy call to take grace and more grace. I thank Thee, thank Thee. Amen."