Disobedience to God’s commandments; source of our woes
Disobedience to God’s commandments, laws and decrees could be a contributing factor to the myriad of problems facing us as a people of late.
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For when God as a Supreme governor created the universe, he set a standard of living based on holiness and righteousness for mankind in order for us to experience wholeness, peace and harmony in our relationship; firstly with him, secondly, with others and finally with the rest of his creation.
God’s standard of living which is found in the Holy Bible, is enshrined among others in his commandments, laws, decrees etc.
Mankind is to obey them among others to glorify and honour him. He also promised us wisdom to discern between right and wrong.
The Scriptures say that if we are obedient, then we shall receive goodness from the Lord. He will bless the land and give us peace, (Leviticus 26: 3-6).
Yet in today’s society, it is easy to find that we have become a people that are plagued by disobedience.
Disobedience to God’s Commandments, laws and decrees has engulfed us to the extent that one can find it at all governance levels - the home, school, church, and market, as well as government offices.
From our actions and inactions, it can be discovered that we hardly show respect and obedience to our creator’s Commandments. Neither do we fear him as the Supreme governor of the universe whose will must always prevail in our lives.
Rather we have set our standard of living based generally on grabbing of money and properties; hence the many problems confronting us now.
Some of our behaviours result in willful killings, lying, stealing and hurting others’ reputation. Others are slandering, cursing and bearing false witness.
The atmosphere, therefore, is charged with anger, insults, lawlessness, discrimination and quarrels resulting in tension and stress among some community members.
The root cause of all these mishaps is jealousy and greed. But good governance is not about insults or brutalities. As such, both the governors and the governed appear to be throwing their hands in despair, not knowing where a solution may come from.
This write-up seeks to identify few of God’s Commandments which many of us are overlooking, and as a result, have brought untold confusion and hardships on ourselves which appear to be tearing us apart.
This is in no way to suggest that it is God who is punishing us. No. We are rather punishing ourselves because we fail to follow God’s standard of living in obedience.
The commandments summarise God’s moral law for his chosen people – Israel - and describes their obligation to God and others including Ghanaians.
Underpinning the commandments is love for God and love for one’s neighbour. Obeying them is not only a matter of respecting external rules but also requires actions from the heart.
Some may argue that the commandments were meant for ancient people and as such outmoded. However, Christ and the apostles affirm that as a valid expression of God’s holy will, the commandments remain obligatory for the New Testament believers.
We are obliged to obey them in our effort to live righteous lives as children of God. (Matthew 19: 17-18; 1 Corinthians 7: 19).
For the purposes of brevity and effect, three of the familiar Ten Commandments will suffice here (Exodus 20: 6, 8, 9). Subsequent version will dwell on other Commandments.
The Sixth Commandment states “You shall not commit murder.” This commandment forbids willful killing. This is to say that unauthorised or unlawful taking of lives, as well as taking any other actions or influences that cause the spiritual death of another is forbidden.
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In spite of these, not a single day passes without the media reporting that some Ghanaians have killed their fellow Ghanaians in some communities under bizarre circumstances.
Women and children are the most affected victims. Enraged husbands are the most identified perpetrators.
The eighth commandment states, “You shall not steal.” This commandment prohibits stealing of money or anything belonging to another.
Cheating is another form of stealing. By this commandment we should not scheme to acquire anything dishonestly.
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Unfortunately stealing has become a craze. Alleged stealing of even government money appears to be on the ascendancy.
Some employers are alleged to have been stealing from their employees through non-payment of salaries and other benefits for several months and even years.
Some employees too are alleged to be stealing from their employers through fictitious deals and by bolting with companies’ moneys or vehicles.
However, this commandment demands honesty in all our dealing with other people. Rather we are doing the opposite without any regret.
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