Is This Harsh To You?* Is This Harsh To You?*
*If so, then it would be very prudent to investigate why you feel that way.
Love And Obedience
- "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15
What is a commandment?
Taken from the Greek word Entole (eÍntolh/), a commandment is:
- An order, command, charge, precept, injunction; that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office.
- A prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done
- a precept relating to lineage, of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood.
- ethically used of the commandments in the Mosaic law or Jewish tradition.
What did Jesus say about the relationship between loving Him and keeping His commandments?
In John 14:15, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and shares with them that love for Him is inseparable from obedience. Additionally, His reference in this verse to "My commandments" is not a reference to only His ethical commandments in context but to the entire revelation from the Father of which we have the privilege of being able to see in God's word to man - the Bible - and in God's word to us and fellow believer's through prayer. This is an incredibly important point because many believe that the guidance Jesus shared concerning the " greatest commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40) is license to act and believe in ways they consider to be loving even though Jesus - directly and though others as recorded in the Bible - shared that such actions and beliefs are not in our best interests and that by acting and believing in that way we would be disobeying His guidance. And if we are disobeying His guidance, how can we love Him if He himself says that if we love Him we will keep His commandments?
- Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40
One example of this can be seen in the acceptance of teaching that denies things that Jesus specifically stated as truth - such as the fact that the only way to salvation is through Him. There are other examples, but the point is that if we accept and associate with that type of teaching, are we really being obedient to His "commandments" - his revelation to us through His word? And if we are not being obedient, are we really loving Him?
How can we get insight into what Jesus Christ teaches?
The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. If things are dark to me, then I may be sure there is something I will not do.
Intellectual darkness comes through ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey.
No man ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test over it. We disobey and then wonder why we don't go on spiritually. 'If when you come to the altar,' said Jesus, 'there you remember your brother hath ought against you...don't say another word to Me, but first go and put that thing right.' The teaching of Jesus hits us where we live. We cannot stand as humbugs before Him for one second. He educates us down to the scruple. The Spirit of God unearths the spirit of self-vindication; He makes us sensitive to things we never thought of before.
When Jesus brings a thing home by His word, don't shirk it. If you do, you will become a religious humbug. Watch the things you shrug your shoulders over, and you will know why you do not go on spiritually. First go - at the risk of being thought fanatical you must obey what God tells you. Why? Because if we love Him, we will obey His commandments.
Is he truly our Lord?
It's a great day to start obeying Him - and we can do it beginning immediately - without having to formulate a reason to explain to others of our decision to obey.
Let's obey today! Let's love THE KING today.
- And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46
References:
7:46:04 AM 
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