The Ten Commandments and the Chevy Big Block Engine

Once a month, as part of our worship liturgy, we recite the Ten Commandments as a congregation. The Ten Commandments reflect God's character. They have never ceased to be binding on God's people. Adherence to the Ten Commandments is not a means of salvation, but rather evidence that we are in fact God's people. Further, the Ten Commandments give us great guidance and direction in life. Following them will bring blessings.

The Lord Jesus never does away with the Ten Commandments, rather, He models them perfectly and gives us a clearer understanding of them. When our Lord said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34), He wasn't somehow replacing the Ten Commandments. Instead, He was giving clarity to their core meaning. The last six of the Ten Commandments give direction on our duty toward fellow human beings. If you want to know how to love someone, start by not hating, stealing, lying, etc. Jesus perfectly complements and even enhances our understanding the ancient Decalogue with His example and teaching.

One of the great inventions and contributions to mankind, right up there with the light bulb, telephone, television, and computers, has to be the big block internal combustion engine. Chevy introduced the 454 big block engine just over 30 years ago. Never before could a street legal engine turn out 500 horse power in it’s stock form, from the factory! The engine was versatile, it was put in everything from Corvettes to Suburbans. Chevy still makes that engine today. It has added features like fuel injection and various emissions devices, but the base engine is still the good ole’ 454, the greatest, coolest, meanest, manliest big block engine ever made. You see, there was no need to invent a new engine. There was no need to make any internal changes to that engine. That engine was solid and faithful when it was built and it remains solid and faithful today. Sure, the new 454’s look new- and many of the exteriors are, but the internal engine is still the same. This is also so for the Ten Commandments. They needed no changes, They reflect the eternal character of God. Jesus gives “new” commandments in that he gives a new depth of meaning to old, faithful truths. He says- “You have heard it said- thou shalt not murder…I say unto you, if you hate your brother you have already committed murder in your heart”. Jesus doesn’t do away with the Commandments, but rather gives a new depth of meaning to them.