Posted on 10/21/2020 5:45:46 AM PDT by metmom
"The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes" (Ps. 19:8).
Obedience to the Word is the hallmark of a true believer.
It isn't popular these days to speak of God's Word as a book of commandments. Commands imply law and we're accustomed to grace. But the fact is, both the Old and New Testaments contain many commandments that all God's people are to obey.
The apostle John said, "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected" (1 John 2:3-5). John equated the commandments of God with the Word of God.
Jesus Himself said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15) and "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father" (v. 21). If you truly love Christ, your life will be characterized by a pattern of obedience to His Word.
Every commandment of God is "pure", the psalmist said (Ps. 19:8). Its effect is "enlightening the eyes." God's Word brings spiritual truth into clear focus. Not every passage of Scripture is easy to understand, but taken as a whole, the message of the Bible is clear to the regenerate mind.
But as clear as the Bible is to believers, unredeemed people can't understand it. To them it's foolishness because their minds are unenlightened (1 Cor. 2:14). In their spiritual blindness they choose humanistic philosophical speculations over God's Word. But as a believer, you are continually being enlightened by the truths of God's Word as the Holy Spirit enables you to understand and apply them to your life.
Your ability to understand the Word is a priceless gift. Take advantage of it daily by expanding your Bible knowledge and increasing your obedience.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank the Lord for opening your mind to the truths of His Word. Commit yourself to discovering at least one additional truth from Scripture each day.
For Further Study
Read 1 Corinthians 2:14-16. What comparison did Paul make between the natural (unregenerate) man and the spiritual (regenerate) man?
Studying God’s Word ping
Amen. All of His instruction, laws, judgements are true! Do what Yeshua did, follow YHVH’s (God) ways.
The natural man looks at the Law and sees the letter of the Law.
The spiritual man looks at the Law and sees the intent of the Law.
The natural man obeys the letter, outwardly.
The spiritual man obeys the intent, inwardly.
The older I get, the more I see the wisdom in God's commandments. Instead of seeing them as, "He just wants to keep us from having fun.", I discover His love towards us and His desire for what is best for us - and His will IS what is best for us. The human inclination is to do whatever feels good and right for ourselves, a selfish kind of living. The Godly motivation is to do what draws us closer to Him and, consequentially, it ends up being what is best for all.
We think we're doing pretty good when we love our neighbor as ourselves...Jesus told us that we should love one another as HE loves us. That kind of unconditional love is only possible when He is working within our hearts.
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