Do you feel you are a good person by God’s standards? Do you feel you are good enough to go to heaven? You cannot afford to risk your soul for eternity in Hell. You must know for sure what you must do in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Remember, you are not judged by human standards here on earth. We are judged by God’s standards only. The way to find out this information is to ask yourself if you have obeyed the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments monument at St. Thomas Aquinas in New Port Richey.

I: You shall have no other gods before me.
Have you always put God first in your life? Do you love God more than anything and anybody? The Bible says that we should so love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength - so much that our love for our father, mother, brothers, sisters and friends and even our own life should seem like hatred compared to the love and devotion for God, (Luke 14:26). Will you be innocent or guilty on Judgment Day of breaking that Commandment?

II: You shall not make for yourself any idol.
Who is your God? This commandment means that we should not create a God to suit our lifestyle. Many people have created a God in their mind that is wonderful and loving and would never cast anybody into Hell. Some homosexuals or fornicators create a God in their mind that approves of their sinful ways and they convince themselves that the God in their mind approves. Is your God the one revealed in Holy Scripture? If not, then you have made your own god to suit yourself - you have committed the oldest sin in the Book. Scripture warns that no idolater will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

III: You shall not take the name of God in vain.
Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word? If you have, you’ve taken the Holy name of God and used it as a four letter filth word. If you have used God’s name in that manner, you are a blasphemer and will not enter the Kingdom of God.

IV: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
God commands that we set aside one day in seven. Have you kept this commandment?

V: Honor your father and mother.
Have you always honored your parents in a way that's pleasing in the sight of God? Ask Him to remind you of the sins of your youth. You may have forgotten them, but God hasn't.

VI: You shall not murder.
Jesus warned “Whoever is angry with his brother without cause is in danger of judgment.” Many people think you can only violate this commandment by actually killing somebody. God sees hatred in the heart to be as wicked as murder. We can violate this law by attitude and intent.

VII: You shall not commit adultery.
Have you ever looked at anyone with lust in your heart? Jesus warned, “You have heard…You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. The bible says that adulterers and fornicators will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

VIII: You shall not steal.
Have you ever stolen anything even if it was small? If so, you are a thief in God’s eyes and you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

IX: You shall not bear false witness.
Have you ever told a lie? If so, you are a liar and the bible warns that all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire.

X: You shall not covet.
That means we shouldn't desire anything that belongs to another person. Not their car, job, wife, money or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

James Madison
1778 to the General Assembly of the State of Virginia

“We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We’ve staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity…to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.”