by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Romans 6:17
Thanks be to God that...you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed.

One day our son Samuel, then eight, typed out a treatise titled: "HOW TO BE GOOD." Here is his own unedited work, shared with his permission:

HOW TO BE GOOD

1. Obay you parntes and GOD.6. Do not cheat.

2. Do want other kids want to do.7. Play right.

3. Do not be selfish.8. Be a good player.

4. Be good to babbysearts.9. Dont be a por sport.

5. Do want parntes say.10. Do no cuse.

Not bad, is it? Who knows what triggered this active boy to jot down this inspired list? Samuel's conclusions are a child's perception of several of the Ten Commandments. And he may know them a little better than most adults.

When I look at the Ten Commandments, I see that the first two alone are a good summary of how to be good:

1. "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exod. 20:3). While Israel was tempted to worship idols, I'm convinced that one of modern Christianity's worst forms of idolatry is materialism. Barbara and I constantly evaluate this issue because we don't want to leave a legacy of materialism for our kids.

Another form of idolatry is our worship of self-fulfillment. Careers, the number of children we decide to have, our attitudes about divorce-all have been sired by the personal rights movement.

2. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (v. 7). Taking God's name in vain is more than just using His name as a swear word. It means "to take His name to mean nothing." Even the way many Christians use the phrase "Praise the Lord" can become slang if we say it only out of habit. God is holy and sacred, the God to be feared. Swearing is thoughtlessly speaking of Him in a non-God-fearing way.

We know that these commandments (and the other eight as well) contain a moral snapshot of God's nature, holiness and goodness. Philosophers try to find out God's nature by reason. Believers discover who He is as they walk in obedience to His Word.

Prayer:

That doing God's will may become an inner urge in your heart, not just a dutiful observing of external commands.

Discuss: Read and discuss the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1-17 at your next family meal.

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