0562. Commandments

Commandments

"I do not forget Thy commandments" (Psa_119:176).

The word "commandment" comes from a Hebrew word which means, to set up or constitute. Hence we have "Constitutional Commandments." The word occurs twenty-two times in Psalms 119.

It is necessary in the study of this lesson to remember that the believer, in this dispensation, is not legally under the Ten Commandments. It is also necessary to remember that love is the fulfillment of the Law, and, that grace is never a license for licentiousness. The attitude of Christian living, to which we are called, is immeasurably higher than the requirements of the Law of Moses.

In discussing this word, therefore, let us remember that while Christ was born under the Law, and that He nailed upon the Cross the Commandments written in stone, which were against us; nevertheless, we rejoice in every command of the Spirit, whether that command is in the realm of service, or of Christian living. The righteous requirements of the Law, are gladly fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. We are free from the penalty of the Law because Christ bore it for us. We are free from the legal requirements of the Law, because we are under grace. We are assuredly subject to the Law of Christ. In John 14, three different times we are told that those who love Him, will keep His commandments. To those who love Him, His commandments are not grievous.

Let us notice a few of the passages which reveal our attitude toward the commandments of our God.

Psa_119:66 : "I have believed Thy commandments."

Psa_119:6 : "I have respect unto all Thy commandments."

Psa_119:32 : "I will run the way of Thy commandments."

Psa_119:47 : "I will delight myself in Thy commandments."

Psa_119:48 : "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments."

Let us think of all the will and purposes of God for us, and then let us run our eyes up and down through the statements above, and find whether each statement expresses the real sentiment of our own heart toward that will. Do we have respect unto the commandments of our Lord? Do we long for them and delight in them? How many of us are there who walk in the path of our Lord’s commandments, and who run in His way? Are His commandments our delight? Do we lift them up on high? Do we believe them? Do we ever delay in keeping them?

"He that hath My commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth Me." Let us not talk so loudly with our lips, professing a great love, until we have shown our love by our obedience. It is not every one who says, "Lord, Lord," who will be acknowledged of Him; but it is the one who does His will. If any one keeps not His commandments, he need not confess that he knows the Lord. Christ said, "My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me." It is those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, who possess the patience of the saints.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR