I recently read an article in the Christian Post by Robin Schumacher. He was asking an insightful question, trying to get to clarity about his own sinful nature. He queried, “What command in the Bible do I break most often?” (For his answer, I will let you read the excellent article for yourself.)

But as you might guess, his question sure got me to thinking about the injunctions in the scripture. Apparently, a 12^th century scholar named Maimonides, is believed to have cataloged some 613 specific Biblical commands. In addition to the 10 commandments that Moses received directly from Yahweh, Maimonides believed that the Torah contained 248 affirmations or things to do and 365 negative commands of things not to do.

Those 613 commands included a whole litany of ways to honor the sacred Feasts and properly handle the various sacrifices. Healthy eating is outlined, and we are told to avoid eating maggots, snakes and scorpions (no problem with that one!).

The Biblical commands integrate long lists of character concerns. We are urged to care for the weak, to avoid bearing grudges, to keep covenants and love the Torah and those who teach it. And the list goes on and on. Some are very practical; some are deeply spiritual in nature. Some relate to the Lord and others impact the way we treat our family and friends.

But as I read through them all, I realized that the command I most often break is in the original ten. In Exodus chapter 20, the very first commandment dictates that we have no other gods before Him. And that’s one that I keep stumbling over.

No, I do not have altars set up in my home with idols, candles and incense burning. Nor do I have little houses built in my yard filled with food to honor the gods as they roam through our neighborhood.

No, my issue is self. I keep nudging God out of the way and putting myself on the throne of my heart. If I lived in Biblical times, I would have a well-worn path from my house to the Tabernacle or Temple. Every day, I would be forced to present a lamb or goat for sacrifice. And every day my selfishness would rear its ugly head again.

But praise the Lord, Gal. 3:24 explains the purpose of all those commandments, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” They are a guardian who teaches that we are sinners and assures us that we are unable to permanently deal with those offenses.  The commandments point us to Jesus.

Yes, there is a sin that “easily entangles me” (Heb. 12:1). And it might trip you up too. But as Easter looms on our calendars, let’s all remember that while broken commandments are a reality, the blood of Jesus covers them all. “He cancels the charge of our legal indebtedness…taken it away and nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:14)

Praise the Lord for our redemption!