While getting on or off the Perth train system some of you may have noticed the posting of 10 commandments beside the train doors. It may strike you as a bit odd, or perhaps very odd, that the public transit system would allow something so blatantly biblical to be so openly in view. However, let me hasten to reassure you that the 10 commandments posted are not the 10 commandments. Actually, they are not all even commandments. However, the 10 statements are designed to make sure everyone treats others with respect while using public transport. For instance, a person getting on to the train is told, ”We’re all on this journey together. Let’s make it an enjoyable one. Show your good side.”
What do you think about these statements and rules? Do you agree that those riding our trains ought to respect one another? Is it mandatory for you and me when we get on the train to make sure my train mate’s ride is enjoyable? Perhaps I should ask some bigger questions. Who has the authority to lay down rules for all of society? What should those rules be?
The Bible teaches that the eternal, infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing. On the sixth day of creation this holy and good God graciously created 1 man and 1 woman named Adam and Eve. He kindly made them rulers over the whole earth so that they would use all of creation to bring glory and honour to him, their Creator. And he gave them rules to live by. These rules did not limit their freedom but defined their freedom. God told Adam and Eve that if they obeyed his kind and good rules they would always be free. Free to fully enjoy God himself and all that he had created.
However, Adam and Eve sinned by rejecting God’s commandments. Since that time, no one has ever lived a free life and kept God’s rules perfectly. Except for Jesus Christ. Only Jesus has really honoured God by never using his name as a joke or a curse. Only Jesus has really cared about other people by never lying, cheating or stealing. He lived a free and perfect life by keeping all of God’s 10 commandments.
God is perfectly fair and will judge everyone according to how well they’ve kept his laws. Because God is just, he will punish anyone who sins even once. However, God is also merciful. Anyone who comes to God and confesses their sin of breaking his commandments will receive a free gift. The gift given is Jesus himself! The law-breaker will have their criminal record totally wiped away and in its place they will be given the perfect record of Jesus, the law-keeper. When God looks at this repentant sinner he will see Jesus standing in their place. In fairness, God will mercifully welcome that sinner to heaven forever.