Todays title contains an important question every Christian must consider when establishing a relationship with God, a question that is often spoken of throughout Scripture. Our answer, will reveal just how much we love, or do not love God. John 14:15 says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." A truly genuine Christian will keep God's commandments because they love God and shall therefore abide in God's love; just as Jesus kept His Father's commandments and abided in His Father's love (John 15:10). My prayer is that this question will not discourage believers but rather inspire us to continue reading to learn more.
Too often men believe God's commandments are restrictive, cold, and without purpose or merit. Not so! God's commandments are glorious opportunities to demonstrate how much we love God. Man's whole heart should strive to seek after the Lord and keep His most precious commandments. The Psalmist said it best in Psalm 119:10 when he said, "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments." To wander is to drift away from the love of God that is most precious and beautiful. God's commandments are far from debilitating and cumbersome, rather they should draw us ever closer to God, because it is God who enables us to keep his commandments in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. When I am weak He (God) is strong!
Think of God's Commandments like a box. Upon the border of that box, God applies His commandments to help us steer clear of sinful behaviors that are likely going to harm our relationship with God. Inside the box, life is good, pleasant, and enjoyable when we follow His commandments. It is a type of Garden of Eden. Why? because when we are in Him, He is in us, and the love of God abounds within us and we become fruitful. "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" John 15:4-5 KJV.
How can we know what sin is without God's Commandments? We cannot. God's commandments are a line in the sand, which we are not to cross. Doing so, will result in breaking fellowship with God not to say cause some personal discomfort whenever we commit a sin. This doesn't mean we lose our salvation! Only that our fellowship with God has been harmed. This can be restored when we confess our sins to God. First John 1:9 KJV says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Sin individually has its consequences also. It causes disappointment, disillusionment, and even despair along with sickness and disease. Why then would a man choose sin/death over life everlasting? Jesus can provide that life. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." Choose Jesus!
Keeping God's commandment also provides man with an opportunity to show God how much we love him. This is our duty and service to God, not with a contorted face, but one who counts it all joy to do so. This is pleasing to God, who releases a multitude of blessings upon those who obey. Be it rain in due season, land yielding her increase, or a tree producing an abundance of fruit. Keep in mind, God's blessings are not limited to what the earth brings forth, but includes our spiritual fruits, which we are to replicate. That of Love, Joy, Peace, Patiences, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. These attributes will go a long way when sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others and keeping God's commandments. So goes Matthew 28:19-20 KJV "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Are you sharing the Word of God? Are you doing so with a joyful heart? I hope so.
Go now and keep God's holy commandments.
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