Of the many commands we have considered, which are those at the top of the list? Which are those that incorporate all the others into them? We immediately recognize Christlikeness as a recurring signature tune of the commands. Obviously, obedience is the doorway into the Christlikeness God desires to develop within us.

The question we are about to pose may at first glance seem simplistic, almost a cliche, like something from an old-fashioned salvation tract. Let us try, however, to listen to the words with fresh insight, and bring the question all the way inside. Let us see what it might have to tell us about ourselves. What are you living for?

There are many secondary aspects of God's will that are good, right and scriptural elements of spirituality with which we should be concerned. We do well to understand these, and to pray for God to develop them within us... But what is God's primary will for his people...What is it that God wants to do in your life, and in mine, above all other things?

The final Command...

Let us pose a probing question. The more personal layers of the onion we peel off in formulating an answer may reveal startling, even shocking, truths about ourselves: How much of our speech is subtly laced with the hidden desire to impress?

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus urges obedience to his Commands in many ways and with a great variety of words, phrases, metaphors, and parables.

What is the "fruit" we are to bear as the Lord's disciples? How will our lives "glorify" God the Father?

The debate is long standing in Christendom about what exactly "sanctification" is and how it comes about.

The final two commands of this section are intrinsically related, yet they point in opposite directions. Speech will always build up or tear down someone. These last two commands identify the two objects of that building or tearing--others or ourselves.

It was not until after much reflection that it slowly dawned on me what an intriguing and perhaps prophetic word this is from the mouth of Jesus.