How To Understand Two Tablets of the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments Divided by Two

1. The first tablet of the commandments reveals the first four commandments, which teach Christians about their relationship to God. These laws help God’s children understand how to respond to God in a way that opens them up to greater communion with Him. Jesus summarized the first four commandments when He said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22: 37-38 NKJV
2. The second tablet has six commandments. These commandments teach Christians about their relationship to other people both Christian and non-Christian. These commandments reveal the basic rules for getting along well with one’s fellow man and are the foundation for the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Jesus summarized these commandments when He said, “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22: 39 NKJV

A New Commandment

1. In John, Jesus gives Christians a new commandment when He says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 NKJV
2. This new commandment can be seen in light of the two stone tablets. When people receive God into their hearts they open themselves to an immeasurable love.
   • If Christians accept this love, their response to God should flow into spontaneous obedience to the first four commandments. However, sin prevents God’s children from doing this perfectly.
   •  If Christians accept this tremendous love, their relationship to others will spontaneously fall into line with the next six commandments. Of course, sin prevents them from doing this perfectly.
3. The Ten Commandments are simple directions to help God’s children do what sin prevents them from doing by giving them specific rules to guide their relationship to God and others.

Jesus’ summary of these commandments and His new commandment provide Christians with a new understanding of old laws in light of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection.