Recovery Under the Cross moves forward with the weekly Midweek Meditation series on the 10 Commandments. This week's meditation focuses on the 5th Commandment.

Exodus 20:13: You shall not commit murder. (EHV)

Naturally, murder is the main thing covered in the 5th Commandment. The 5th Commandment also forbids committing bodily harm to others and to ourselves. This week's Midweek Meditation will talk about murder committed within a person's heart - hatred (1 John 3:15).

What a blessing it is for us that Jesus paid for our sins of hatred toward others. Because of his great love for us, God turns our hate-filled hearts into loving hearts that forgive those who hurt us.

In the larger context of Scripture, the 4th Commandment covers more than obeying our parents. The 4th Commandment includes obeying all of God's representatives - in the home, in the church, in civil government. The last group seems to be the most difficult to honor and obey. It's hard for us to want to honor and obey those in civil government because it seems that so many people who serve in the government these days are corrupt and ego-maniacal in some way. Regardless of how our leaders think, act, and govern, God established government for our well-being and safety. It's God-pleasing for us to remember our civic leaders in our prayers, asking God to bless them with sound judgement, wisdom, and a servant-leader's heart.

One consequence of addiction is neglecting God's Word whether it's in our daily lives by letting our devotional life slide or giving up gathering with other Christians to worship God in church.

Today's Midweek Meditation turns our attention to the 3rd Commandment.

Exodus 20:8

Remember the Sabbath day by setting it apart as holy. (EHV)

The Recovery Under the Cross Midweek Meditation series on the 10 Commandments continues with the 2nd Commandment.

Exodus 20:7

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. (English Heritage Version)

One way we misuse God's name is by using His name to swear needlessly that something we say or do is true. Sometimes we use God's name to swear falsely, that is, to lie.

What a blessing we have in Jesus who kept His Heavenly Father's name holy for us, and washed away each time we misuse God's name for our own personal gain.

Recovery Under the Cross kicks off a new Midweek Meditation series on the 10 Commandments. For the next 9 weeks, the Midweek Meditation will focus on a commandment per week. The 9th and 10th Commandments will be combined because they both talk about coveting.

1st Commandment:

Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods beside me." (English Heritage Version)

Quitting an addiction often leaves a void in what we do to occupy our time. Some people trade one addiction for another. Others find a hobby. Sadly, there are some who don't know how to fill the time void and end up relapsing.

Fill the time void with the Holy Spirit coming to you as you read and hear God's Word along with receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion on a regular basis. The blessings of being in God's Word on a daily basis are tremendous!

Had Christ not risen again from the dead, we would have reason to cling to the guilt and shame we feel about the hurt we caused with our addiction. Thanks be to God Christ did rise again from the dead! We are not dead in our sins. Christ's resurrection from the dead proves our salvation from sin, allowing us to let go of our guilt and shame and cling to the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins we have in Christ.

Do you remember your rock-bottom? Have you watched someone else hit rock-bottom because of addiction? Did you feel hopelessness and despair?

After watching their teacher suffer and die on the cross, it isn't hard to imagine Jesus' disciples possibly having feelings of hopelessness and despair over the events that transpired between Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane and his crucifixion. Soon enough, their hopelessness would turn into joy. Jesus rose again from the dead just as he said he would.

Because of Jesus' resurrection, we don't need to hang on to the guilt, shame, hopelessness, and despair over our sins. Jesus paid for our sins once and for all. His resurrection guarantees that.