The Eleventh Commandment

Finally read my first novel after more than 15 years. You wouldn't believe it huh?

Jeffrey Archer's The Eleventh Commandment published in 1998. I supposed from here on, I'll be picking up more readings of various sorts to rev up my fancy and spur me on to different things as we moved into our new lives in Melbourne.

By the way, the Eleventh Commandment is - Thou Shalt Not Be Caught.

Jeffrey Archer in his usual flair paints the exploits and escapades of a CIA spy who lived by the code "never to be caught." Interestingly, many of us like the spy live double lives, hoping never to be caught.

And like the old adage, "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely," reminds us that most people live civilly for fear of being caught. The stark reality is those rare few who cross the boundary have a story to tell. None would have expected to be found out. The worst of the lot usually have reasons to justify their actions.

What would you do if you know you can do it without any dire consequences?

The flip side of the coin is: For those who us who choose to live by God's code, we are free of every commandment simply because we have been set free from the law of sin and death.

We ought not to be living the way we choose for fear of being caught; rather, because we believe that's the right way.

This brings me to one particular quote: Mahatma Gandhi said, "You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power; maybe not in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do noting, there will be no result..."

Recently, the senior pastor of Crossway Baptist in Melbourne quoted someone in his preaching about sin and suffering: He said instead of enjoying favor and blessings when we do the right thing, we ought to be prepared to suffer when we do the right thing. How wise.

Naturally, there is a cost to doing the right thing. The Bible speaks clearly about persevering in doing the right thing. James says when you suffer for doing wrong, you deserve it. But when you suffer for doing the right thing, rejoice!

What matters in the coming days is to bear up under suffering. At least, to prepare to face the consequences. Paul said: I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me (and may I add: "if I can take the consequences.")

The Eleventh Commandment is NOT about NOT BEING CAUGHT (punished) doing the wrong thing. It is about being CAUGHT (punished) doing the right thing.

So let us spur each other on even as it is called TODAY that he who does evil continue to do evil, and he who does good continue to do good. For the time is coming when we will give account to Him who sees all things.