Devotional #113

Question 113. What does the tenth commandment require of us?

Answer: That even the smallest inclination or thought, contrary to any of God’s commandments, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole heart, and delight in all righteousness (a).

(a) Romans 7:7: What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

For your personal reflection:
Impossible you say?  Right you are.  And that is the point.  The 10^th Commandment, like all of the others, highlight our complete inability to keep them and reveal our desperate need of a Saviour.  And that is the Gospel: the Law condemns but Christ who is rich in mercy grants us grace – a gift that in unearned and undeserved.
And, here is the deceit of religion – it offers and appearance of respectability.  If we look good and do the right things while avoiding certain proscribed things we consider ourselves blameless.  Religion addresses well external action.  It cannot touch internal desire.
How does the 10^th Commandment differ from the other nine?
Can you think of examples in your own life where you emphasize and/or embrace external regulations while leaving unaddressed the internal desires of your heart?