The Decrees That Give Life

In my Bible reading today I read where God refers to His law as "my life-giving laws". Ezk. 33:15  Other translations read, "the statutes which insure life" (NASB), "the decrees that give life" (NIV) and "the statutes of life" (KJV).  Now, so as not to be misunderstood, I am aware that spiritual life does not come as a result of keeping "the law" but through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me." 

With that out of the way, consider why the Ten Commandments were called, "the decrees that give life."

1.   Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
2    Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image...
3.   Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4.   Remember the sabboth day, to keep it holy.
5.   Honor thy father and thy mother.
6.   Thou shalt not kill.
7.   Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8.   Thou shalt not steal.
9.   Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10. Thou shat not covet ....anything that is thy neighbor's.

Jesus added some depth to these commands in Matthew's gospel, Chapter 5.  It might be good to take a little peek at what He said.  And while we are at it, consider for a moment James 2:10 which reads, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."

God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  There is a "life-giving" element in His eternal Law for those who keep them and for those who are kept from the transgressors.

The first 3 Commandment have to do with God Himself.  The last 6 deal with man's relationship with his fellow man.  Consider how a breach of those last six takes away "life" from another and how obedience preserves, enhances, protects, and "gives" life - hence, "The Decrees That Give Life".