The Ten Commandments

Perhaps the greatest proof of the problem of sin can be found by examining God's law summarized in the Ten Commandments (found in Exodus 20). Let's take a look at just a few:

The Sixth (v.13)
"Do not murder." Most of us have not committed the crime of depriving someone of human life, but all of us have been guilty of getting angry with others without cause. Jesus said that he that did this deserved the same punishment as a murderer (Matthew 5:21-22). Have you harbored hatred in your heart against someone without cause? If so you are guilty of breaking the sixth commandment (see also 1 John 3:15).

The Seventh (v.14)
"Do not commit adultery." Jesus said that whosoever had looked on a woman to lust after her, had already commited adultry with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28). Have you looked on a woman or man with lust? If so you have broken the seventh commandment.

Other Commandments
Who among us can claim that he has not stolen anything (number 8, v.15), or born false witness (or lied; number 9, v.16), or coveted something (number 10, v.17)? What about taking the Lord's name in vain? How many times have you used God's name or Christ's name as a curse word when something has not gone your way?

The Greatest Commandment

In the New Testament Jesus explains the greatest commandment of all is that you should "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37). Who can say that they have attained to this "first and great commandment" (Matthew 22:38)? But the second greatest commandment is almost as hard: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:39). Perhaps you are tempted to ask like some, "and who is my neighbor" (Luke 10:29)? Jesus also said, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, "Love your enemies..." (Matthew 5:43-44). Here Jesus is commanding us not only to love our neighbors, but also our enemies.

The Whole Law

Jesus goes on to say that whole law hangs on these two commandments (Matthew 22:40). This is why God says "if anyone keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10).  Picture the law of God like a chain.  Just as each link is connected to the other, so each of the commandments of God are connected to the others.  If you just break one link you are guilty of breaking the whole thing.

This is why God says in the book of Romans, "...all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

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