God gave the Ten Commandments to us, and the reason is because He wants us to live good lives—lives that are peaceful and happy and productive. God isn’t a harsh, angry judge just waiting for us to get out of line so He can punish us. He is our loving Heavenly Father, who knows what is best for us.

I can’t help but wonder if you’ve ever actually read the Ten Commandments (you’ll find them in the Old Testament, in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5). If so, which would you throw out? Would you abandon the commandments against murder, or stealing, or lying, or unfaithfulness? Would you toss out the command to take care of our health and our environment by allowing for sufficient rest? Would you omit the commands against greed or the neglect of the elderly (especially our parents)? I seriously doubt if you’d abandon any of them, because the alternative is chaos.

However, I suspect your real problem with the Ten Commandments (or any other moral law in the Bible) is that you simply want to run your own life, apart from God. But is that wise? God made you, and He knows what is best for you. Why deceive yourself by thinking you’re wiser than God? The first commandment declares, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

Face honestly your need for God’s forgiveness and wisdom—and then by faith commit your life to Jesus Christ. Jesus’ command is for you: “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19).

Are you searching for purpose in life?