Commandments From God
When we receive Commandments from God, how do we react? That is a question that each will have to ask and answer for themselves. What one “states” when the question is asked, should be the same as they do!
How did Israel of old react? In Jeremiah 6:16, the Spirit had the prophet issue God’s Commandments so that they might have peace. What was their response? Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. All the Commandments of God are for the good of mankind.
God gave Old Testament people Commandments to follow. Isaac was given a promise from God in Genesis 26:3-5, because of the fidelity of his father in regard to God’s Commandments. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
Joshua 1:8-9 is where we read of the Commandments of God to His people Israel, as they were being led into the Promised Land. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. All this was for their benefit and to fulfill God’s plan.
Jesus, in Matthew 21:28-31 presented two scenarios to help the Jews of His Day see the fallacy of only “appearing” to keep the Laws of God. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Those of Jesus day needed to know that keeping God’s Commandments would lead them to the kingdom. This kingdom, the church for which Christ died, was the fulfillment of God’s plan for man.
Jesus’ teaching was forwarded by His disciples in Matthew 10:5-7 as Israel was being prepared to receive the kingdom. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The gospel consists of the New Testament Commandments of God. As the gospel was being preached in the first century, the Gentiles were granted entrance when Peter was sent to Cornelius. Notice the attitude of Cornelius in Acts 10:33 when it came to “receiving” what God offered. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Then there are the Words of Paul as the Holy Spirit had him write in Romans 1:16 to show the “power of God unto salvation” is the gospel. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
There is also Romans 16:25-26 which confirms that the gospel is the Commandments of God. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: This is in exact alignment with the Word’s of Jesus as recorded in John 14:15. He said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
1John 5:3 was written to Christians, so this same concept is applied under the Law, and the Gospel. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Don’t be as king Saul of old in 1Samuel 15:13. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. The reply? (vs 14) And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? Obey the gospel, the Commandments of God today. Obey it all the way. To do otherwise means eternal destruction. If you need help or additional teaching, we can help guide you through His Word.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
