Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) This is truly a simple statement, and one of great significance. There are so many in the world that claim Jesus as Lord, but take no thought as to what his commandments are concerning their conduct. Jesus has through his own teaching and through the teaching of inspired men given us various commandments regarding how we worship him and how we conduct our lives.
Jesus went so far as to say that the worship of those who do not regard his commandments is empty. Mark 7:7 says, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” This passage teaches plainly that there are certain things in religion that are simply the teaching of men. It also makes it very plain that such things are not acceptable to God.
The only way that we can be sure that we are pleasing to God is to study His word to understand what his commandments for us are and then do them. Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)
John tells us, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (I John 2:3-5) As we have stated, Jesus also gave us commandment through certain inspired men. He told his disciples that he would send them another comforter who would guide them into all truth after his death and resurrection (John 16:12-13). This comforter was the Holy Spirit, who inspired certain men to write what is now known as the New Testament.
Paul said of his writing, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (I Corinthians 14:37) Thus, we must keep all of the commandments of the Lord, both those spoken by him while on earth and those spoken by inspired men after his return to Heaven.
Finally, we recognize that the commandments of God are not harsh, but are for our own good. John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (I John 5:3) Not only are the commandments of God not grievous, but they are our duty; the wise man said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
But let us realize that God is so good! This is our whole reason for being, our whole duty—even so God has promised a reward to those who will keep his commandments! Revelation 22:14 says, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Will you keep his commands?
Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so. Acts 17:11
May God bless you in your study of his Word.
Copyright 2006 Mance J. Davis Jr.
