On the back of that sign was the warning: THOU SHALT NOT STEAL. Where do you suppose such a statement as that came from? If there is no God, why are they quoting Him? Either there is a God who establishes order out of chaos, or we should let nature take its natural course, which is always chaos. I choose to believe in God but wouldn’t trust the atheists with my sign!

In his book Confessions, Augustine (354-430), the well-known theologian, reflected on this attraction to the forbidden. He wrote, “There was a pear tree near our vineyard, laden with fruit. One stormy night we rascally youths set out to rob it…We took off a huge load of pears – not to feast upon ourselves, but to throw them to the pigs, though we ate just enough to have the pleasure of the forbidden fruit. They were nice pears, but it was not the pears that my wretched soul coveted, for I had plenty better at home. I picked them simply to become a thief…The desire to steal was awakened simply by the prohibition of stealing.”

Romans 7 teaches us that human nature is inherently rebellious. Give us a law and we will see it as a challenge to break it.

Do you have a similar story of being caught up breaking the law?

Ever notice what happens when the law enters the scene? A police car moving through the fast lane with its lights flashing causes each driver’s heart to miss a beat. Motorists no longer feel secure in the knowledge that others are also speeding. Each one recognizes his guilt and that he could be the one pulled over. Suddenly that “mere” 15-mph transgression doesn’t seem like such a small thing after all!

God’s laws are written on our hearts. Let’s be paying attention before He arrests us.

This “new commandment” Jesus gave is truly amazing when you consider its historical background:

First, there was the Law of Revenge. Before Moses, the law of the land was the law of the jungle. It said, “If you hurt me I’ll hurt you – and then some!” Enemies actively sought ways to settle old scores because revenge wasn’t just acceptable – it was encouraged.

Next, there was the Law of Retribution. In Moses’ time revenge was replaced with retribution which allowed, “An eye for eye, and a tooth for tooth,” but no more (Ex. 20:25). You could do to your enemies only what they’d done to you. That was progress!

Now, there’s the Law of Love. When Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment…love one another,” it was a radically different approach. It meant you didn’t have to get even, you could choose to forgive instead. This new commandment demonstrates the unconditional, sacrificial love God shows to us – then calls us to live the same way!

Brown then compared the law to a flashlight. If the lights in your home suddenly go out, you use a flashlight to guide you through the darkness to the electrical box. The flashlight enables you to see the blown fuse or tripped circuit-breaker, but you don’t insert the flashlight in its place.

In his third image, Brown likened the law to a plumb-line. A builder uses a weighted string to see if his work is properly aligned. If he discovers a mistake, he doesn’t use the plumb-line to correct it. He uses his hammer and saw.

The Apostle Paul said, “We know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully” (1 Timothy 1:8). The law of God reveals the problem of sin, but it doesn’t provide a solution. The answer to the sin problem is Jesus Christ, Who bore our guilt on the cross, and now offers us new life. Have you asked Him to be your Savior?

Boudreaux paid him no mind. Lighting up another stick of dynamite, he handed it to the game warden and said, “You gonna talk or you gonna fish?”

Some folks are always trying to find a way around the rules. Rules are made for a reason, and if everyone violated the rules, there would be chaos. That’s why our prisons are overcrowded. And, why is it that in a land famous for freedom, America has more people incarcerated per capita than any other nation on earth? Should there be limits on freedom? What do you think?

“The law is the law,” La Guardia declared. “I must therefore fine you $10.” When the man sadly confessed that he had no money, the judge took $10 out of his wallet and paid the fine. He also asked each person in the courtroom to contribute 50 cents to help the man.

Have you ever seen such generosity in your world?

Ten Lords a Leaping speak of the Ten Commandments given by God through Moses to the Israelites. These ten basic commandments encapsulate the entire Mosaic Law, which consists of hundreds of thou shalts and shalt nots. We are not saved by obeying the Ten Commandments. As a matter of fact, the Ten Commandments were given to the Jews in the Old Covenant, not Christians under a New Covenant. But they symbolize the will of God for His people even today.

In the New Covenant (Christianity), God knows we are sinners but Jesus’ death on the cross covered that sin and God does not hold us accountable for that sin. That’s why Paul said we are saved by grace, not of works, lest anyone should boast of earning his/her salvation. But spiritual people should seek to discover the will of God for our lives so we can live a life that honors God. Its not a Command, then, for believers, but the Ten Commandments become the desire our our hearts. They become Lords of our behavior, leaping over all the obstacles to godliness: Ten Lords a Leaping.