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Diez palabras que dan vida: El deleite y el cumplimiento de los mandamientos de Dios
En Diez palabras que dan vida, Jen Wilkin nos recuerda sobre el poder vivificante que tiene la ley perfecta de Dios en el creyente. Los Diez Mandamientos son palabras que Dios le habló a una nación que había sido recientemente liberada. Son palabras sobre la obediencia y la santidad, atemporales en importancia y sabiduría. Pero aún así, estas mismas palabras hoy en día son malinterpretadas, olvidadas o simplemente ignoradas. Wilkin enseña a sus lectores cómo los Diez Mandamientos impactan sus vidas hoy, y les ayudan a amar a Dios y a otros, a vivir en libertad gozosa y a anhelar ese día futuro cuando Dios será adorado por la eternidad. Estas palabras antiguas y atemporales no deben pasar desapercibidas. Son una delicia y sirven como meditación diaria para aquellos que invocan el nombre del Señor.
In Ten Words to Live By, Jen Wilkin reminds readers of the life-giving power of God's perfect law for the believer. The Ten Commandments are words God spoke to a nation recently set free. They are words about obedience and holiness—timeless in their importance and wisdom. Yet today these same words are often misunderstood, forgotten, or simply ignored. Wilkin teaches readers how the Ten Commandments come to bear on their lives today, helping them to love God and others, live in joyful freedom, and long for that future day when God will be rightly worshiped for eternity. Ancient and timeless, these words cannot be overlooked. They serve as the rightful delight and daily meditation of those who call on the name of the Lord.
In Ten Words to Live By, Jen Wilkin reminds readers of the life-giving power of God's perfect law for the believer. The Ten Commandments are words God spoke to a nation recently set free. They are words about obedience and holiness—timeless in their importance and wisdom. Yet today these same words are often misunderstood, forgotten, or simply ignored. Wilkin teaches readers how the Ten Commandments come to bear on their lives today, helping them to love God and others, live in joyful freedom, and long for that future day when God will be rightly worshiped for eternity. Ancient and timeless, these words cannot be overlooked. They serve as the rightful delight and daily meditation of those who call on the name of the Lord.
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2021
686 people are currently reading
7072 people want to read
About the author
Jen Wilkin
69 books1,473 followersJen Wilkin is a speaker, writer, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. During her thirteen years of teaching, she has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. Jen and her family are members of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. She is the author of Women of the Word.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 653 reviews
April 8, 2021
The best treatment of the Ten Commandments I’ve ever read. Strikingly insightful. I learned a lot.
My favorite quotes from the book: https://www.tgc.org/article/20-quotes...
My favorite quotes from the book: https://www.tgc.org/article/20-quotes...
March 18, 2021
"We should love the law because we love Jesus, and because Jesus loved the law . Contrary to common belief, the Pharisees were not lovers of the law; they were lovers of self."
I was highlighting this book from the second page. I appreciate so much Jen's solid Bible teaching. Our generation so badly need the Jen Wilkins who point us back to Scripture and away from mantras and catchphrases.
Ten Words unpacks the Ten Commandments and shows how we can go beyond minimal obedience (or more popularly, no obedience) to EXPANSIVE obedience of the law. There's much confusion about the law in the Church and so many women who claim to be "living free" while living as slaves to their passions and despising the law that their Savior loved so much. Why would we want to follow the law even MORE expansively when we live in what's commonly believed to be an age of grace? Well, expansive obedience is what Jesus Christ taught; going beyond rote service to the very heart. And what we find at our heart over and over is an addiction to self and sin. Guess what- that is the way of Satan, not of Jesus. By walking the path of obedience, we are able to see these things more clearly- they're in our line of vision - and allow Jesus to root them up and get them out. Following Jesus is not leaving our selfishness and sin in there and doing whatever we want. Jen shows us that expansive obedience over time trains our hearts more and more to desire and be like our Lord. Honestly, it was so refreshing to be challenged in this way. Meat is good for our souls, folks.
For each ten of the commandments (or, words), she challenges us in ways to go beyond the "don't do"s to the "do this instead"s. Don't just "not hate" - love actively. Because it's what Jesus did. Because it's good for the community and for ourselves. She asks probing questions at the end of each chapter and gives a prayer to start us on the path of asking God to reform our hearts in that way. I could see already how God would take me beyond what Jen said to ways that my own heart rebels against the commandments.
This book was very readable, with chapter lengths that were doable, not daunting. It's a little book that packs a punch. I think it would be great for book club discussions.
I read an advance copy which I received from Netgalley and the publisher but I was not compensated in any way or required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I was highlighting this book from the second page. I appreciate so much Jen's solid Bible teaching. Our generation so badly need the Jen Wilkins who point us back to Scripture and away from mantras and catchphrases.
Ten Words unpacks the Ten Commandments and shows how we can go beyond minimal obedience (or more popularly, no obedience) to EXPANSIVE obedience of the law. There's much confusion about the law in the Church and so many women who claim to be "living free" while living as slaves to their passions and despising the law that their Savior loved so much. Why would we want to follow the law even MORE expansively when we live in what's commonly believed to be an age of grace? Well, expansive obedience is what Jesus Christ taught; going beyond rote service to the very heart. And what we find at our heart over and over is an addiction to self and sin. Guess what- that is the way of Satan, not of Jesus. By walking the path of obedience, we are able to see these things more clearly- they're in our line of vision - and allow Jesus to root them up and get them out. Following Jesus is not leaving our selfishness and sin in there and doing whatever we want. Jen shows us that expansive obedience over time trains our hearts more and more to desire and be like our Lord. Honestly, it was so refreshing to be challenged in this way. Meat is good for our souls, folks.
For each ten of the commandments (or, words), she challenges us in ways to go beyond the "don't do"s to the "do this instead"s. Don't just "not hate" - love actively. Because it's what Jesus did. Because it's good for the community and for ourselves. She asks probing questions at the end of each chapter and gives a prayer to start us on the path of asking God to reform our hearts in that way. I could see already how God would take me beyond what Jen said to ways that my own heart rebels against the commandments.
This book was very readable, with chapter lengths that were doable, not daunting. It's a little book that packs a punch. I think it would be great for book club discussions.
I read an advance copy which I received from Netgalley and the publisher but I was not compensated in any way or required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
May 28, 2021
"The Christian faith is absolutely about relationship. But while that faith is personal, it is also communal. We are saved into special relationship with God, and thereby into special relationship with other believers. Christianity, is about relationship with God and others, and because this statement is true, Christianity is also unapologetically about rules, for rules show us how to love in those relationships."
Wow, Jen Wilkin absolutely takes the Ten Commandments off the felt board with this one. I've been in church since I was an infant, but I've never thought about the Ten Commandments the way they are laid out here. She expounds these Ten Words far past anything I think most Christians have considered as being related to these commands - it's both convicting and encouraging; revealing and uplifting. One example is the command, "You shall not bear false witness..." Okay, don't lie about people, got it. But Jen encourages the reader to think in terms of expansive obedience and how we can deeply pursue the spirit of these words by not simply abstaining from lying about people but also not taking part in reviling, flattery, inappropriate silence, and misattribution. Each of the ten are laid out this way, and whew like I said, THE CONVICTION IS REAL 😅
I also was impressed with the stance she took on how our sin has been normalized and accepted, even within the church. When speaking about sexual immorality she says, "Certainly lust is the norm in our hypersexualized culture, but it has also found ways to be normalized within the church. Too often it is seen as a beast to be tamed. Yet, Paul seemed to think differently on the matter of sexual immorality. He seemed to think we could kill it: "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5) Satan has succeeded in convincing believers that last is just something to be managed instead of something to be slain. God intends for us to strike it down."
I highly recommend this one - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me! As always, Crossway continues to publish incredible books by Christian authors and I am so grateful for their ministry! Thank you for sending me this complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Wow, Jen Wilkin absolutely takes the Ten Commandments off the felt board with this one. I've been in church since I was an infant, but I've never thought about the Ten Commandments the way they are laid out here. She expounds these Ten Words far past anything I think most Christians have considered as being related to these commands - it's both convicting and encouraging; revealing and uplifting. One example is the command, "You shall not bear false witness..." Okay, don't lie about people, got it. But Jen encourages the reader to think in terms of expansive obedience and how we can deeply pursue the spirit of these words by not simply abstaining from lying about people but also not taking part in reviling, flattery, inappropriate silence, and misattribution. Each of the ten are laid out this way, and whew like I said, THE CONVICTION IS REAL 😅
I also was impressed with the stance she took on how our sin has been normalized and accepted, even within the church. When speaking about sexual immorality she says, "Certainly lust is the norm in our hypersexualized culture, but it has also found ways to be normalized within the church. Too often it is seen as a beast to be tamed. Yet, Paul seemed to think differently on the matter of sexual immorality. He seemed to think we could kill it: "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5) Satan has succeeded in convincing believers that last is just something to be managed instead of something to be slain. God intends for us to strike it down."
I highly recommend this one - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me! As always, Crossway continues to publish incredible books by Christian authors and I am so grateful for their ministry! Thank you for sending me this complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 25, 2024
Simple, convicting, and fully rooted in Scripture. The usual for Jen Wilkin👌
June 11, 2021
Such a different and out of the box look at The Ten Commandments. Seen by so many as a set of rules by which Christians must sadly and forecfully follow, Jen once again shows how this set of laws shoudl cause us to delight and rejoice in the work that Christ has done.
They are meant to convict, shape, and give us hope. She clearly shows how to us they are prohibitions but to Jesus they are prophetic. And this in turn leads us to salvation in no other but His works.
Obedience that pleases God begins in the heart.
They are meant to convict, shape, and give us hope. She clearly shows how to us they are prohibitions but to Jesus they are prophetic. And this in turn leads us to salvation in no other but His works.
Obedience that pleases God begins in the heart.
April 19, 2024
It slaps
January 30, 2024
Lots to think about in this short book
July 25, 2024
In “Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands,” Jen Wilkin writes that the Ten Commandments, originally known as the Ten Words or the Decalogue, “suffer from a PR problem.” This book aims to highlight the life and delight to be found in loving God and others through His commandments.
In Christianity, relationship is so often pitted again rules and “religion.” Wilkin states,
“Without rules, our hopes of healthy relationship vanish in short order. Jesus did not pit rules against relationship. It was he who said, ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments.’”
I enjoyed this book and can see believers taking each chapter over a week to read prayerfully and in examination of their lives, whether individually or in a small group. The back of the book even contains pages for recording thoughts, prayers and reflections, and each chapter ends with Scriptures to meditate on, questions for reflection and a prayer for confessing sin. It was such a convicting book that I know I will go back to myself as well.
Highlights:
“To misuse the name of the Lord—to take his name in vain—is to misrepresent the character of God.”
“To sabbath is to cease activity for the purpose of remembering God’s provision, that we might worship him as we ought.”
“The banner over the seventh day of creation is ‘It is finished’ (Gen. 2:1-3). The banner over the believer at the cross as a new creation in Christ is ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30).”
“Our actions are the incarnation of our beliefs.”
Total Rating: 5
Readability: 5
Impact: 5
Content: 5
Enjoyment: 5
Thank you to Crossway for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
In Christianity, relationship is so often pitted again rules and “religion.” Wilkin states,
“Without rules, our hopes of healthy relationship vanish in short order. Jesus did not pit rules against relationship. It was he who said, ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments.’”
I enjoyed this book and can see believers taking each chapter over a week to read prayerfully and in examination of their lives, whether individually or in a small group. The back of the book even contains pages for recording thoughts, prayers and reflections, and each chapter ends with Scriptures to meditate on, questions for reflection and a prayer for confessing sin. It was such a convicting book that I know I will go back to myself as well.
Highlights:
“To misuse the name of the Lord—to take his name in vain—is to misrepresent the character of God.”
“To sabbath is to cease activity for the purpose of remembering God’s provision, that we might worship him as we ought.”
“The banner over the seventh day of creation is ‘It is finished’ (Gen. 2:1-3). The banner over the believer at the cross as a new creation in Christ is ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30).”
“Our actions are the incarnation of our beliefs.”
Total Rating: 5
Readability: 5
Impact: 5
Content: 5
Enjoyment: 5
Thank you to Crossway for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
October 6, 2023
I’m a huge fan of all of Jens books that I’ve read, but this book was just so surfacey for me.
I will also note, her using the words like “first word, second word” drove me nuts. I think I prefer them to be called “commandments”. Because they aren’t just words- but commands.
And on the chapter of honor your parents— I didn’t care for it being added to elders/ officials. The Bible is clear, honor your parents. And we see a world right now of kids who don’t honor anyone, especially their parents.
I’d probably recommend it- but wouldn’t read it again.
I will also note, her using the words like “first word, second word” drove me nuts. I think I prefer them to be called “commandments”. Because they aren’t just words- but commands.
And on the chapter of honor your parents— I didn’t care for it being added to elders/ officials. The Bible is clear, honor your parents. And we see a world right now of kids who don’t honor anyone, especially their parents.
I’d probably recommend it- but wouldn’t read it again.
September 1, 2024
*review from 2nd read* This book brings out the beauty of God’s law & makes me delight in it. What a kind God we have to engrave boundaries for our life before we even know we need them.
I am absolutely giddy to get to go through it with my sophomore girls this semester & see God work in their lives 🥰
Read for small group this fall! I loved the “expansive obedience” section of each chapter - gave great, practical applications! Especially loved the chapters on commandments 6-8!
I am absolutely giddy to get to go through it with my sophomore girls this semester & see God work in their lives 🥰
Read for small group this fall! I loved the “expansive obedience” section of each chapter - gave great, practical applications! Especially loved the chapters on commandments 6-8!
March 31, 2023
You probably think you’ve aced living out the Ten Commandments, but Jen Wilkin will punch you in the gut with hard but beautiful truths of how these rules (and how we’re asked to live them out) lead us to love like Jesus and feel wholehearted joy in our relationship with God.
March 25, 2024
Would recommend to everyone, men and women alike! Wilkin’s writing proves what a gift the 10 commandments are, what it looks like to follow them, what Jesus had to say about them, and how a truly abundant life comes from following Jesus, who taught us to love the Father God. “Holy desire births righteousness and righteousness, when it is fully grown, brings forth life”.
There has been an anti-legalism movement in Christian society for many years now, and the movement has birthed some false theology, like that we don’t need to place value on spiritual disciplines, following biblical teachings and admonishments, church discipline, etc.
Wilkin proves how a full and abundant life comes from knowing that salvation can only be obtained through faith in Jesus the Messiah and the work that He did as we confess our own sinfulness, but how the gratefulness for the gift of salvation should move us ever onward and upward.
My paraphrasing will never be as good as her writing— I recommend you read her book yourself!
There has been an anti-legalism movement in Christian society for many years now, and the movement has birthed some false theology, like that we don’t need to place value on spiritual disciplines, following biblical teachings and admonishments, church discipline, etc.
Wilkin proves how a full and abundant life comes from knowing that salvation can only be obtained through faith in Jesus the Messiah and the work that He did as we confess our own sinfulness, but how the gratefulness for the gift of salvation should move us ever onward and upward.
My paraphrasing will never be as good as her writing— I recommend you read her book yourself!
February 18, 2022
Very much enjoyed what Jen had to say. Very readable too! That’s all.
“And the longer we walk it, the more we grow to look like the one who walked it first and best, the one of whom it is said, “I delight to do your will, O my God; / your law is within my heart” (Ps.40:8).”
“And the longer we walk it, the more we grow to look like the one who walked it first and best, the one of whom it is said, “I delight to do your will, O my God; / your law is within my heart” (Ps.40:8).”
September 22, 2025
So good. I read this while my church was walking through a sermon series on the Ten Commandments. I never thought there would be so much depth and richness to explore with these. Every chapter made me see each commandment in a genuinely new light.
I loved this and would highly recommend. Easy read but very deep. I think it would be good to read in a small group or a one-on-one discipleship setting, too. Great discussion questions at the end of every chapter.
I think her chapter on the 3rd commandment (taking God’s name in vain) was particularly memorable for me. I loved this quote:
“We can also misuse the name of the Lord by speaking hallowed words while living hollow lives. When we preach a moral code that we ourselves do not strive to uphold, we become like those Jesus railed against during his ministry—a people who honor God with our lips, but whose hearts are far from him. This is the parent who requires her child to apologize to her, but who never apologizes for her own missteps. It is the mentor who dispenses godly wisdom to a younger believer that he has not himself learned to employ. It is the woman singing praise songs at the top of her lungs, eyes closed and hands extended, who has not cracked open her Bible in months. It is the man who prays publicly with great piety and eloquence but whose private prayer life is nonexistent. It is the greeter at the front door of the church smiling broadly and shaking hands, who earlier that morning berated his family for being slow to get in the car. It is the preacher who exhorts others to repent while himself harboring an unrepentant heart.”
I loved this and would highly recommend. Easy read but very deep. I think it would be good to read in a small group or a one-on-one discipleship setting, too. Great discussion questions at the end of every chapter.
I think her chapter on the 3rd commandment (taking God’s name in vain) was particularly memorable for me. I loved this quote:
“We can also misuse the name of the Lord by speaking hallowed words while living hollow lives. When we preach a moral code that we ourselves do not strive to uphold, we become like those Jesus railed against during his ministry—a people who honor God with our lips, but whose hearts are far from him. This is the parent who requires her child to apologize to her, but who never apologizes for her own missteps. It is the mentor who dispenses godly wisdom to a younger believer that he has not himself learned to employ. It is the woman singing praise songs at the top of her lungs, eyes closed and hands extended, who has not cracked open her Bible in months. It is the man who prays publicly with great piety and eloquence but whose private prayer life is nonexistent. It is the greeter at the front door of the church smiling broadly and shaking hands, who earlier that morning berated his family for being slow to get in the car. It is the preacher who exhorts others to repent while himself harboring an unrepentant heart.”
August 15, 2025
3.75/5
Good book! I was pleasantly surprised – not because I doubted Wilkin but because I was unsure which version of baptistic thinking she’d embody (1689, SBC, New Covenantal, progressive covenantalism, non-denom, etc etc). What stood out the most was how “reformed” she was on the second and fourth commandant. Concerning the latter she argued for (nearly) a sabbatarian position, it seemed. Concerning the former, she likewise hit on the unhelpfulness of images of God. I think Wilkin could’ve pressed in a little more here regarding images of Jesus, but overall it was solid.
I still slightly prefer Deyoung’s work on the commandments (titled “The 10 Commandments,” also published by Crossway). And someone his is even shorter in length. Either way, both are solid resources for an introduction on the Ten Commandments.
Good book! I was pleasantly surprised – not because I doubted Wilkin but because I was unsure which version of baptistic thinking she’d embody (1689, SBC, New Covenantal, progressive covenantalism, non-denom, etc etc). What stood out the most was how “reformed” she was on the second and fourth commandant. Concerning the latter she argued for (nearly) a sabbatarian position, it seemed. Concerning the former, she likewise hit on the unhelpfulness of images of God. I think Wilkin could’ve pressed in a little more here regarding images of Jesus, but overall it was solid.
I still slightly prefer Deyoung’s work on the commandments (titled “The 10 Commandments,” also published by Crossway). And someone his is even shorter in length. Either way, both are solid resources for an introduction on the Ten Commandments.
November 7, 2024
“We are only easily lured into wrong belief about God when we are unschooled in right belief about Him”
Really enjoyed this book! As Christians, we often have a weird view with the Law. We tend to lean more to the view that “it isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship”. Then we do this so far to the neglect of the Law. Jen does a good job of briefly expanding on each commandment. This would be a great book for a small group study.
“Ten words carved in stone at Sinai and powerless to save us, now carved on our hearts and powerful to transform us.”
Really enjoyed this book! As Christians, we often have a weird view with the Law. We tend to lean more to the view that “it isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship”. Then we do this so far to the neglect of the Law. Jen does a good job of briefly expanding on each commandment. This would be a great book for a small group study.
“Ten words carved in stone at Sinai and powerless to save us, now carved on our hearts and powerful to transform us.”
January 23, 2022
Insightful, but true to the text. Applicable, but rich in theology.
Ten Words to Live By is a grace-filled breakdown of the Ten Commandments and its relevance to believers today. Really enjoyed this book! It is a necessary resource for the average member of the body of Christ.
Listened on audiobook, but would love to reread in physical book form. Thanks for this fantastic work, Jen Wilkin!
Ten Words to Live By is a grace-filled breakdown of the Ten Commandments and its relevance to believers today. Really enjoyed this book! It is a necessary resource for the average member of the body of Christ.
Listened on audiobook, but would love to reread in physical book form. Thanks for this fantastic work, Jen Wilkin!
March 16, 2022
The chapter on bearing false witness was definitely the strongest and most thought-provoking.
May 25, 2022
Jen Wilkin's books are just the best! Content is excellent and convicting. The length of chapter is the perfect amount for a Bible Study. This book was a fresh take on the 10 commandments and started a conversation about a topic we sometimes don't go too deep with.
November 7, 2023
Insightful and convicting read! I realized how superficially I tend to look at the Ten Commandments. Wilkin takes a deeper dive into each commandment challenging the reader to see the ways each of these commandments are still applicable to us today…and I needed that reminder!
September 17, 2025
A little but great book about the Ten Commandments I will be re-reading. It would be an excellent choice for a bible study with others!
May 3, 2025
A beautiful study on the Ten Commandments. A pointer to how so many of them actually do apply to me. I listened to this book but I want a real copy to read slowly and meditate more….
August 9, 2024
4.7🌟
This book was very eye-opening about the ten commandments and helped me learn a lot more about the ten words!!
I especially liked the questions at the end of each chapter that made me really think about what I was hearing😀
This book was very eye-opening about the ten commandments and helped me learn a lot more about the ten words!!
I especially liked the questions at the end of each chapter that made me really think about what I was hearing😀
June 30, 2025
I thought this was a great book on the 10 commandments. Jen expanded my understanding of each commandment to show that each one means something more than just what we might think it does at face value. I appreciated the questions at the end of each chapter, and I believe it has given me a better understanding of God’s word, specifically the 10 commandments. I’d say that’s a win.
January 30, 2022
I read this in basically one sitting (one chapter last night, the rest of the book today). I couldn't put it down. I am very encouraged by Wilkin's perspective.
August 3, 2025
Ten Words. Powerless to save us. Powerful to transform us.
March 16, 2021
This book is one that is so easy to read, and so convicting to read, and stepped all over my toes, and still I closed the book feeling refreshed and invigorated and ready to conquer my dragons.
This was a book that I thought would be interesting. With the "New Calvinist" movement sweeping the reformed world, and all the cries of legalism and a general bent towards antinomianism, I'm not quite sure what I was expecting. I mean, a book written about the Law of God? In today's day and age? I'm pretty sure I went into it thinking that I could finally reconcile and *maybe* understand how Christians can be under grace, not have to obey any law of God, and yet we can still talk about the 10 commandments. So, I went into the book expecting to disagree with much of it, but hoping to learn more about this strange doctrine that I have personally encountered, so I could have a better idea of where these people are coming from in speaking with them.
But I discovered so much more.
This book DID address antinomianism, and legalism, and I basically agreed with much of it. And I was surprised. So often with a woman author, the book is all about feelings and not about theology. But not this one! No, Jen Wilkins delves deep into the commandments, brings out the importance of them in todays world, rebukes those who would think otherwise, and steps all over toes as she explains and spells out the heart-attitude behind the commands.
And I discovered that I can be quite a pharisee, as we all can, obeying the letter of the law, and totally ignoring the spirit of it.
This is a great book! It's one that I will be purchasing so I have more than a digital copy on hand, and I can highlight and make notes to my heart's content. It's one that I would recommend to all women to read. It's definitely one that can be breezed through, but I recommend slowing down and digesting the info slowly. I have not read anything else by this author, but I am excited to discover if Wilkin's other Bible study material is as sound as this book is.
*I am VERY thankful to NetGalley and Crossway for sending me this eARC to read! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
This was a book that I thought would be interesting. With the "New Calvinist" movement sweeping the reformed world, and all the cries of legalism and a general bent towards antinomianism, I'm not quite sure what I was expecting. I mean, a book written about the Law of God? In today's day and age? I'm pretty sure I went into it thinking that I could finally reconcile and *maybe* understand how Christians can be under grace, not have to obey any law of God, and yet we can still talk about the 10 commandments. So, I went into the book expecting to disagree with much of it, but hoping to learn more about this strange doctrine that I have personally encountered, so I could have a better idea of where these people are coming from in speaking with them.
But I discovered so much more.
This book DID address antinomianism, and legalism, and I basically agreed with much of it. And I was surprised. So often with a woman author, the book is all about feelings and not about theology. But not this one! No, Jen Wilkins delves deep into the commandments, brings out the importance of them in todays world, rebukes those who would think otherwise, and steps all over toes as she explains and spells out the heart-attitude behind the commands.
And I discovered that I can be quite a pharisee, as we all can, obeying the letter of the law, and totally ignoring the spirit of it.
This is a great book! It's one that I will be purchasing so I have more than a digital copy on hand, and I can highlight and make notes to my heart's content. It's one that I would recommend to all women to read. It's definitely one that can be breezed through, but I recommend slowing down and digesting the info slowly. I have not read anything else by this author, but I am excited to discover if Wilkin's other Bible study material is as sound as this book is.
*I am VERY thankful to NetGalley and Crossway for sending me this eARC to read! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
February 24, 2021
Perhaps you’ve felt like the rich young ruler.
He came to Jesus asking what he should do to gain eternal life. Pointing him to the commandments, Jesus led him, yet, “all these I have kept from my youth” (Luke 18:21) he declares.
Then, Jesus extends an invitation: sell everything, and follow me.
The man he just addressed as “good teacher,” presents him with a bold summons. A step of humility, obedience and trust, revealing it wasn’t so much about the rules, as it was about the desires of the heart. Yet, he went away “very sad, for he was extremely rich” (Luke 18:23).
The ten commandments are familiar to those who have grown up in the church. So familiar that we mentally check off the list, with a false sense of righteousness for what we seem to have accomplished through following the moral law. Building for ourselves, with some ease, a faith of outward actions.
But how much deeper are the things of the heart.
Jen Wilkin’s new book, “Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands” invites us to explore the ten commandments, not merely as rules for our adherence, but as truths to believe, enjoy and follow. She teaches us the historical context of the commandments, as the people of Israel understood them, and encourages us toward a deeper, expansive obedience, leading us to wrestle with the issues of our own hearts.
She writes, “while legalism builds self-righteousness, lawfulness builds righteousness.” The journey to righteousness is not found in ourselves, but in Christ alone, through the salvation he purchased for us through his life, death and resurrection. We have what he has freely given us.
Yet, while we have been saved by grace, through faith, we keep on stretching our obedience in faith, by repenting of our sin, and pursuing Christlikeness. This is where the law helps us, because, “obedience to the law is the means of sanctification for the believer.”
Why does it matter?
Enticed by the trend of self-sufficiency, we seek measures and checklists to define our qualifications as followers of Christ. Longing to be affirmed and validated by our works we observe the commandments and give ourselves a ‘gold star’ for meeting the criteria.
But is Christianity about rules, or is it about relationship?
Jen answers this by saying, “the Christian faith is absolutely about relationship. But while that faith is personal, it is also communal. We are saved into special relationship with God, and thereby into special relationship with other believers.”
The Ten Words instruct us to live as a people who honor God and others, in our thoughts, words and actions. This is how we learn to become more like Jesus, by clinging to the Word, thus guarding our heart, “for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov 4:23), and, “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
What do I think?
“The Ten Words show us how to live holy lives as citizens of heaven while we yet dwell on earth. For the believer, the law becomes a means of grace.”
I appreciate Jen’s books; her teaching challenges me to dig deeper in the Word, and to reflect on my own journey to Christlikeness. If you’re looking for teaching on the law, and how it applies to your life today, I highly recommend this one! 5 stars from me!
**A big thanks to Crossway and Netgalley for a copy of this book, and the opportunity to post an honest review!
He came to Jesus asking what he should do to gain eternal life. Pointing him to the commandments, Jesus led him, yet, “all these I have kept from my youth” (Luke 18:21) he declares.
Then, Jesus extends an invitation: sell everything, and follow me.
The man he just addressed as “good teacher,” presents him with a bold summons. A step of humility, obedience and trust, revealing it wasn’t so much about the rules, as it was about the desires of the heart. Yet, he went away “very sad, for he was extremely rich” (Luke 18:23).
The ten commandments are familiar to those who have grown up in the church. So familiar that we mentally check off the list, with a false sense of righteousness for what we seem to have accomplished through following the moral law. Building for ourselves, with some ease, a faith of outward actions.
But how much deeper are the things of the heart.
Jen Wilkin’s new book, “Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands” invites us to explore the ten commandments, not merely as rules for our adherence, but as truths to believe, enjoy and follow. She teaches us the historical context of the commandments, as the people of Israel understood them, and encourages us toward a deeper, expansive obedience, leading us to wrestle with the issues of our own hearts.
She writes, “while legalism builds self-righteousness, lawfulness builds righteousness.” The journey to righteousness is not found in ourselves, but in Christ alone, through the salvation he purchased for us through his life, death and resurrection. We have what he has freely given us.
Yet, while we have been saved by grace, through faith, we keep on stretching our obedience in faith, by repenting of our sin, and pursuing Christlikeness. This is where the law helps us, because, “obedience to the law is the means of sanctification for the believer.”
Why does it matter?
Enticed by the trend of self-sufficiency, we seek measures and checklists to define our qualifications as followers of Christ. Longing to be affirmed and validated by our works we observe the commandments and give ourselves a ‘gold star’ for meeting the criteria.
But is Christianity about rules, or is it about relationship?
Jen answers this by saying, “the Christian faith is absolutely about relationship. But while that faith is personal, it is also communal. We are saved into special relationship with God, and thereby into special relationship with other believers.”
The Ten Words instruct us to live as a people who honor God and others, in our thoughts, words and actions. This is how we learn to become more like Jesus, by clinging to the Word, thus guarding our heart, “for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov 4:23), and, “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
What do I think?
“The Ten Words show us how to live holy lives as citizens of heaven while we yet dwell on earth. For the believer, the law becomes a means of grace.”
I appreciate Jen’s books; her teaching challenges me to dig deeper in the Word, and to reflect on my own journey to Christlikeness. If you’re looking for teaching on the law, and how it applies to your life today, I highly recommend this one! 5 stars from me!
**A big thanks to Crossway and Netgalley for a copy of this book, and the opportunity to post an honest review!
March 20, 2023
This book took me a while, BUT I think it was because there was just so much to chew on! I really appreciated this Bible study on the Ten Commandments. It was really convicting and challenging!
Here are few favorite quotes I highlighted…
✏️ “Christianity is about relationship with God and others, and because this statement is true, Christianity is also unapologetically about rules, for rules show us how to live in those relationships. Rather than threaten relationship, rules enable it.”
✏️ “Bearing the image of God does not mean we look like him in physical terms but rather in spiritual terms—not so that others may worship us, but so that they may worship him.”
✏️ “Our natural inclination is to believe that we are keeping the world rotating on its axis, a mindset that feeds a ceaseless work ethic. Sabbath presses on that mindset. It is not merely rest that restores, but rest that reorients. It reminds us that we are not God.”
✏️ “Jesus remembered the Sabbath. Those who follow him will go and do likewise.”
✏️”What a mercy that God sees the end from the beginning. He engraves good boundaries for us even before we know we need them.“
✏️”Jesus did not love the world or anything in it, renouncing the worldliness that the tenth word addresses. The love of the Father was in him, and his desires were turned wholly toward securing the good of his neighbor. His eyes were not fixed on the horizontal plane, but on the vertical—to the holy hill of God from whence his help, and ours, would surely come.”
Here are few favorite quotes I highlighted…
✏️ “Christianity is about relationship with God and others, and because this statement is true, Christianity is also unapologetically about rules, for rules show us how to live in those relationships. Rather than threaten relationship, rules enable it.”
✏️ “Bearing the image of God does not mean we look like him in physical terms but rather in spiritual terms—not so that others may worship us, but so that they may worship him.”
✏️ “Our natural inclination is to believe that we are keeping the world rotating on its axis, a mindset that feeds a ceaseless work ethic. Sabbath presses on that mindset. It is not merely rest that restores, but rest that reorients. It reminds us that we are not God.”
✏️ “Jesus remembered the Sabbath. Those who follow him will go and do likewise.”
✏️”What a mercy that God sees the end from the beginning. He engraves good boundaries for us even before we know we need them.“
✏️”Jesus did not love the world or anything in it, renouncing the worldliness that the tenth word addresses. The love of the Father was in him, and his desires were turned wholly toward securing the good of his neighbor. His eyes were not fixed on the horizontal plane, but on the vertical—to the holy hill of God from whence his help, and ours, would surely come.”
August 7, 2022
Having read three of Jen Wilkin’s books and gone through two of her Bible studies, I can unequivocally say that I am pushed to desire Truth and love God better because of her ministry. I highly recommend this book on the 10 commandments; I’ve heard them since I was a child but learned so much from “10 Words to Live By.”
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