I Peter 2.9,10 Psalm 119.112

"Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.'" (Matthew 22.29)

Everyone these days has his Top Ten list. David Letterman uses the genre for jokes (The Top Ten ways you know you've been hunting with Dick Cheney). Pundits use it to prove points (The Top Ten ways you know you‘ve been to Bosnia with Hillary Clinton). And experts employ it to sell their product or service (The Top Ten ways not to make the biggest real estate mistake of your life). Jesus uses the same method to get His point across. His issues are life and death issues (OK, maybe hunting with Dick Cheney comes close), not to be taken lightly.

The Sadducees posed a really stupid question to Jesus. It had to do with the resurrection, which they didn't even believe in. They were just in the business of throwing dust in the air. Jesus, of course, saw their deception and answered them perceptively with, "You are mistaken." Their mistake came from a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures and a lack of following the Scripture they did know. How like them we Christians of today are!

So here is my Top Ten list, which, should we follow it, we will never make the biggest mistake of our lives - displeasing God:

10. Don't wish that you had anything that you don't have that someone else has (e.g. her husband, his wife, their house, job, looks, money, etc.)

9. Don't tell a lie about anything (small, pragmatic, or otherwise)

8. Don't take anything that doesn't belong to you (other people's stuff, reputation, or spouse)

7. Don't do anything of a sexual nature other than marry someone and have sex with your spouse (you are old enough to figure this out)

6. Don't kill anybody (either in thought or deed)

5. Don't be disrespectful to your parents (honor them with obedience, care, and love)

4. Don't do stuff on the Sabbath day like you do the rest of the week (like work, shopping, doing the yard, etc.) unless of course it is a deed of necessity or mercy.

3. Don't say you are a Christian and then not live like one. Also, don't swear using God's name in any form. (There is a great apocryphal story about Alexander the Great. A young soldier, named Alexander, committed a cowardly act. When he was brought before the great leader, he was asked what his name was. Replying "Alexander" got him this response. "Either change you name or change your behavior." Don't you think God is as equally protective of His Name and reputation?)

2. Don't have anything in your life that is of more value than God. (e.g., your spouse, your children, your job, health, livelihood, even your life) "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You." (Psalm 73.25)

And drum roll please...

1. Don't love anyone or anything more than you love the Triune God. "Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'" (Matthew 22.37)

So, noble people of God, there is your Top Ten list for living life to the fullest. As Moses said, "Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe--all the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days..." (Deuteronomy 32.46, 47)