The Profound Wisdom of the Ten Commandments and the Modern Challenge to True Faith

I have come to understand that spiritual life is attained through a commitment to living in accordance with the commandments found in the Word. These commandments are succinctly summarized in the Ten Commandments, which include prohibitions against actions like adultery, theft, murder, bearing false witness, and coveting others' possessions.

When we faithfully follow these commandments, our actions become virtuous, and our life takes on a spiritual dimension. The key reason for this transformation is that as we distance ourselves from evil and detest it, we naturally incline toward goodness.

Human beings are enveloped by two opposing spheres, one originating from hell, characterized by evil and falsehood, and the other from heaven, defined by goodness and truth. These spheres primarily influence our minds, as they are of a spiritual nature and pertain to our affections and loves.

In the midst of these spheres, we make our choices, and the closer we move towards one, the further we move away from the other. This is why, by avoiding evil and embracing goodness, we not only will but also love virtuous acts. As the scripture aptly puts it,

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24).

It's important to note that we must follow these commandments out of religious conviction because they are divinely mandated by the Lord. When we do this for any other reason, like merely following civil or moral laws, we remain in the natural state and fail to attain spiritual life. True religious adherence acknowledges the existence of God, heaven, hell, and an afterlife in one's heart.

Conversely, when we follow these commandments solely due to civil or moral pressures, we may outwardly appear righteous but internally deny the existence of God, heaven, hell, and life after death. In essence, our external actions may seem Christian-like, but our inner spiritual essence remains distant from it.

I have personally received confirmation of these truths from the angels in the highest heaven, who possess immense wisdom and happiness. They explained that their path to becoming such elevated angels involved repulsing impure thoughts as akin to committing adultery, rejecting deceitful actions and ill-gotten gains as akin to theft, denouncing hatred and vengeance as akin to murder, and shunning lies and blasphemies as akin to bearing false witness.

In this way, their love for purity, sincerity, justice, neighborly love, and truth compelled them to perform good deeds. They recognized that these acts were not of their own doing but stemmed from the Lord. This understanding was pivotal in their elevation to the third heaven after their physical lives had ended, shedding light on the acquisition of spiritual life.

Now, I'd like to delve into how contemporary faith has the potential to erode this spiritual life. The prevailing faith of today emphasizes belief in the notion that God the Father sent His Son, who endured the cross to atone for our sins and removed the burden of the law through His fulfillment. This faith suggests that belief in these tenets, detached from good deeds, can secure salvation, even at the eleventh hour of life.

Unfortunately, this faith, ingrained from childhood and reinforced through sermons, has led people away from avoiding evil due to religious convictions. Instead, they primarily shun wrongdoing to abide by societal and moral standards, viewing sins as detrimental but not necessarily as violations of divine commandments.

Consider the consequences when a person believes that faith in the redemptive act of the Lord alone, without accompanying good works, guarantees salvation. This approach inadvertently undermines the significance of the Ten Commandments, religious principles outlined in the Word, and the vital teachings promoting charity.

It divorces faith from the need to act and brings the efficacy of religion into question. True religion isn't merely about thought; it's about a sincere desire to put thoughts into action. Without this unity of intent and deed, there's no genuine religious experience.

Recall the remarkable circumstances surrounding the delivery of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. They were miraculously revealed, etched on stone tablets, housed in the ark, above which the mercy seat with cherubim rested. This place was declared the Holy of Holies, and only Aaron could enter once a year with offerings and incense. Straying from these prescribed rituals would result in death.

All these measures emphasize the importance of adhering to these commandments out of religious devotion, thereby purifying the inner self, facilitating heavenly communion, inviting the Lord, and transforming individuals into spiritual beings. People outside the faith who follow these commandments out of religious conviction are saved, while those who follow them out of civil and moral obligation are not.

Consider the present-day faith that puts primary emphasis on the belief that Christ's sacrifice absolves all sins and saves without the necessity of good works. This faith essentially negates the Ten Commandments and the spiritual life they signify. Reflect upon the contemporary Christian world, where many do not truly live in accordance with this faith. While some might argue that human imperfections and the burden of original sin excuse their behavior, it's important to remember that every individual is capable of thinking based on religious convictions.

The Lord grants this capacity to everyone. He also assists individuals in translating these convictions into actions, aligning with their thoughts. Those who think and act in accordance with religious principles believe in God, heaven, hell, and an afterlife. Conversely, those who do not think in this way do not genuinely embrace these beliefs.