It is important to note that the Ten Commandments are not directed to or about the government — they are to the individual. That means that each one of us and all those we may teach can make personal application from these truths.
How do we fix a broken society? It will not come through government policy but with the people’s change of heart. In the Ten Commandments, we are taught about one’s relationship with God and with others and also the type of character which one ought to have. The framework for a godly and righteous society does not start with government. In fact, if all people would follow these commands, government would be unnecessary. Notice what Paul wrote:
“For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:9-10).
This comes immediately after what Paul revealed about the divinely ordained role of civil government. He mentioned a few of the Ten Commandments and said they all have one thing in common — love. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. This means that if everyone exercised love properly toward one another, there would be no God-given purpose for civil government, thus making it irrelevant and unnecessary.
You can read more about how the Ten Commandments show us the foundation for a godly society in Civil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and Role. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!
