PLAIN QUESTIONS ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 35, Issue 7, 1 September 1944, Page 10

PLAIN QUESTIONS ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

In the early days of Christianity people used to think that, because Adam had sinned, therefore every baby was tainted with eviL which they called "Original sin." Nowadays the explanation is found to be this: Everyone is born as an individual and is therefore self-centred. If this state of things continues, the world will be full of individuals who refuse to have anything to do with anyone else, unless it is for their own advantage. In other words, each will be his own God. If you think this out you will see that it is a bad thing. We have to escape from this self-centredness, and put SOMEONE and something else at the centre of our lives if we are to be of any use m the world, and if the world, generally, is to be a happy place. God realised all this, so He gave us the ten Commandments, which are meant to help us realise the importance •of God m our lives, and also the importance of other people. These questions are meant to help you know more about yourself, and the sins and mistakes you have niade m the past, for which you need forgiveness. Before you begin, KNEEL DOWN and say: "Almighty "Father, please help me to be honest m this self examination, and to be really sorry for my sins, that, confessing them I may be forgiven, and given strength to make a fresh start, so that I may be and do what YOU have planned for me, for Jesus Christ's sake, AMEN." . , ' Now ask yourself: Is there any question which I hope I wiIINOT see on this paper? What is it? How will you answer it? First Four Commandments. Have I been afraid of doing what I knew I ought to do, because I was afraid of being laughed at? What about my prayers, my Church going, etc? Have I talked too much about myself, boasted, "shown off," been conceited about my looks, my gifts, my powers? Have I ever boasted about 'my sins, so that others might think I was important? Have I talked about the faults of others, so that others might think I was important? Have, I been a bad example to others, keeping them from Church, or leading them away from God? Have I deliberately tried to forget God, so that I could please myself ? , What about my prayers? How have I said them? Reverently? Regularly?

Have I scamped them? Why? Have 1 said "Thank: you" to God for all HE does for me every day? Have I tried to help others m. -my prayers? How have I kept Sunday? Have I remembered that Sunday is God's day, and put Him first, by going to Church, and thinking about Him, before I have had recreation jf or my mind and body? Have I remembered that Sunday, Good Friday, Christmas Day, etc., are Holy days and not just holidays? Have I remembered that God is my Father and my best Friend, that He understands me better than anyone else, "and that He has a plan for my ■.life m the doing of which I will find complete happiness? Last Six Commandments. What about my home life? Do I try to make it happy? How do I treat my father and mother, my brothers . and sisters? Am I selfish and rude and deceitful there? What about my school life? Am, I doing my best there? Am I honest m my work? Have I cheated at games? What about my temper? Do I control it? Do I sulk? Am I jealous of anybody? Why? Have I been cruel to anyone, or to animals? Is there anyone I hate? Why? What about purity? Do I try to keep my thoughts clean? My words? My actions? Do I keep myself under control? What about greediness or fussiness about food and drink? What about dirty talk and so on? .Am I a good example to others, or a bad. one? Am I very honest about things which do, not belong to me (money, books, time, etc.)? Have I borrowed anything and deliberately not returned it? Am I truthful? What have I told lies about? Have I enjoyed saying unkind things? Have I spoken of the faults of others? Have I been a grumbler, and been discontented? Why? Are other people better for my friendship with them, or worse? Is there anything else about me of which I ought to be ashamed and sorry? What is it? Now kneel down and say this prayer: — "Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me where I have failed, and what kind of person I am. Help me to be- sorry, help me to be brave enough to confess my sins, so that I may be forgiven, and please give me strength and power to do better m the future, so that I may be the kind of person YOU want me to be.|' AMEN.