I’m thankful you aren’t simply following the crowd but are determined to decide for yourself what standards you will follow. Jesus gave us a sober warning about the dangers of simply following the crowd, and I hope you will heed it: “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matthew 7:13).

You will find the Ten Commandments in two places in the Bible: the 20th chapter of Exodus and the fifth chapter of Deuteronomy. When you look at them closely, you’ll see that the first few commandments have to do with our responsibilities toward God, and the rest have to do with our responsibilities toward others. Jesus summarized the commandments this way: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'” (Luke 10:27).

These commandments are just as valid today as they were when God first gave them to Moses over 3,000 years ago. The reason is because God never changes—and neither does our human nature. Our world would be a better place if we followed them.

But that is the problem: We can’t follow them perfectly, no matter how hard we try! And that’s why we need Christ, for only He can take away our sins and change our hearts by His Spirit. Commit your life to Him, and then make it your goal to follow Him.