Joy in the Ten Commandments

by Irvine Syazyombo

In every social group, there are certain expectations of behaviour. There are certain ways of doing things that are acceptable. In a class,for example, there are rules. A class monitor will not tolerate noises and other forms of disruptive behaviour..

In a school, there are rules to follow too. For example leaning institutions  could expel pupils for fighting. Schools will not allow beer indulgences   either.

Even countries have ways of regulating citizens’ behaviour. For example, murderers are severely sentenced. All these means of regulation are put in place to ensure the happiness of society.

All the ways of regulating human behaviour derive from the law of God. God wants humanity to be happy. It is only through obeying His commandments that we can be happy(Proverbs 29 : 18).

Just like we live happily at home  by avoiding behaviour which is  unacceptable socially or indirectly following God’s law, we cannot be happy if we break God’s law.

Christ summarized the commandments into two when he talked about loving God and one’s neighbour (Matthew 22;37-40).

The first four commandments are on loving God  and the last six concern loving one another as humans. There is no happiness in breaking any of the commandments. For example if you steal, a mob might lynch you. Adultery leads to three Ds; divorce, disease and death too.

Happiness comes through keeping God’s commandments. It is about keeping all God’s commandments. If you violate any of them, sadness will haunt you. Happy is he who keeps the law(Proverbs 29 ; 18), the ten commandments as given to Moses.If you want joy, find happiness in the law of God.

Hatred kindles disaster

by Irvine Syazyombo

There is rife hatred in the world today. Country hates country, religion hates religion, tribe hates tribe, race hates race and individual hate individual too.

But is it wise to hate? Is there any good in hatred? The Bible gives an answer that people who hate are foolish(10 verse 18).

But why should hatred be perceived as unwise? The world has been thrown into strife because of hatred. There is no wisdom in strife.

For example, you get killed for religious reasons. This has happened in countries like The Central African Republic, Nigeria, France and elsewhere in the world just because of religious hatred. The 

Bible says it plainly that hatred causes strife(Proverbs 10:12).Tribal hatred has caused genocide like the 1994 bloodshed  in Rwanda.Ethnic hatred led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people. It is sheer hatred that resulted in all that.

When countries hate each other that could lead to bloodshed, for example the gulf war between Iraq and the allies which caused innumerable deaths.

As for racial hatred, we have seen it cause strife in South Africa. Precious lives were lost in race related violence until that country renounced apartheid.

But what is the solution to hatred? The Bible says love covers all sins (Proverbs 10:12).Jesus said we should love our enemies , bless and do good to those who hate us(Matthew 5:44).The Bible further says those who hate walk in darkness without knowing where they are going(1 John 2:11).

When you do good to those who hate you, you are doing good to yourself too.The solution to the world strife is to learn to love one another and avoid hatred. As long as there is the darkness of hatred in this world, strife will continue. Many have died today. Many more will die tomorrow because of world hatred.

God doing good through you

by Irvine Syazyombo

The world in which we are has been misled by the devil. There is so much selfishness, hatred, gossiping and killings. Every time you watch television, you see scenes of death in various parts of the planet. Evil deeds have indeed escalated. The world has been overwhelmed by evil.

As for Christians , our duty is to do good to this world which is mourning with all sorts of evil. As Christians a reward awaits us for being good people(Galatians 6:9).For doing good we are going to reap.

You should also know that if you do good, it is God working in you. So if you want God to use you, do good (Phillipians 2:13).

I know it is the desire of every Christian to have God work through them. Just do good and God is going to be with you. God works in every good act you do.

Doing  good is what shows that you are indeed a child of God. When you love, live peacefully, kindly, humbly and joyfully with others, it shows that God is working in your life. That is what shows that the Holy Spirit is in you(Galatians 5 : 19-26).

It is not how loudly and vigorously we pray that matters. Our faith is about living for the good of society. This world should remember you for acts of good will when you are departed. That is what Christianity is. For if you are not good to others, your faith is dead(James 2:26).

Inspire others to do good as a Christian so that so many people can follow your example too. Greet , smile  and show concern about the distress your neighbour. Help people who are in problems. Show your Christianity in many places not only walking humbly in church. Be ready to do as much good work as you can. Be rich in good works (1 Timothy 6:18).

The Duty of Humanity

Every day we wake up and do what we do to earn a living. In the evening we as usual are tired and retire to bed. That is the routine. But sometimes I think you wonder really what our duty on this planet is!

You see, after all the toiling, the next thing is death. Then what is the meaning of all the toiling if any time we can leave this planet? Is it worth it?

Because of many questions as to why it is so, I turned to the Bible to understand what humanity has been assigned to do on this planet.

Ecclesiastes 12 verse 1 says “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say ‘I find no pleasure in them’.

In other ways, while you are young, remember that you have a creator to  Whom you have a duty .But what is that duty?

Verse 13 of the same chapter says ‘The whole duty of man is to FEAR GOD and keep His commandments’. Remember, whatever you are going to do today, you have a duty to God, Fear Him, the One who created heaven and earth.

You fear Him by doing everything to His Glory. Show acts of love to people around you. Be nice to your workmates. Give out peace, love ,hope, joy and happiness to the people that surround you. Live for Christ and you will thereby keep the commandments of God, the whole duty of man.