STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

5/30/2021 ~ Commands

🕮   CommandsAM.mp3 (22m 29s)   Commands.pptx Darkness rings upon the strings of death. A moment approaches where all hearts will cry out. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; ~ Psalms 19:8 Truth never changes in its’ true value. Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! ... ~ Psalms 119:2-5 Striving to be good is not an activity that ever ceases. Keeping aligned with His ways brings about the best of character traits possible. Some people have no desire to be good and actively descend into their loathsome behaviors, with no concern to improve. ... The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. ... ~ 1st John 2:7-8 To recognize the light of God is to see yourself in the naked truth that He is. When one stands in the light, accountability to God either builds greater character, or in defiance, a choice is made to reject God, for the path of darkness and despair that ensues. ... by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, ... ~ Romans 16:26 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, ... ~ 1st Timothy 1:5 God’s laws seek outcomes of goodness   Commandment:           Love:               → from a pure heart               → from a good conscience                 → from sincere faith "... if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." ... ~ Matthew19:17-19 God’s laws draw for the best in moral character   Want to enter into life:    • You shall not murder    • You shall not commit adultery    • You shall not steal    • You shall not bear false witness    • Honor your father and your mother    • You shall love your neighbor as yourself   Murder is not the same as killing. We kill flies, spiders, ants, and beetles. Killing heinous souls purges society of escalating evils, and is condoned by God to protect those of decency, assisting in keeping work fun, and not duty to the drudgery of supporting delinquents at the cost of the whole social tranquility. Note that when one lies the truth is stolen. ... love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. ... ~ Matthew 22:37-40 Essential seeing is void without real action   The first and great commandment:              1) love the LORD your God                    with all your heart                    with all your soul                    with all your mind   The second commandment:            2) love your neighbor as yourself When two laws establish all else that comes after or before them, they should certainly be considered with all earnestly. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." ~ John 15:12 Without love a hopelessness fills the void of emptiness. And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. ~ 1st John 4:21 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." ~ John 15:14 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: ..." ~ Ephesians 6:2-3 Part of friendship is honoring the life of another. Pure hearts wish no harm and hold no scheming; only hoping for the best that can be. ... acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 14:37 Many reduce the word of God to trivial, and selective convenience, out of context, to suit lifestyle. Ignoring the whole word of God leads to not following any of it. The infinite does not cater to the finite. How is it that we reject what has been delivered and place this higher truth below supposedly manmade truths? The Bible is a divinely inspired comprehensive all inclusive work to be embraced in its’ entirety. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. ... ~ 1st John 5:3-4 "... the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." ~ Galatians 3:11-12 God has risen to the occasion to deliver salvations plan to all of us. Arrogant and defiant hearts do not live under His instructions, but rather argue with self-exalted views. Faith is not man imposed but an acceptance of God Himself. ... And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? ~ Micah 6:8 Honesty, compassion, & obedience is the way   The LORD requires of us:         ① To do justly         ② To love mercy         ③ To walk humbly with God   Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, ... ~ Revelation 22:14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. ... ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 There is a law to life that will not change ● God’s pure commandments illuminate direction ● All souls are called to walk in His ways ● The light of God’s truth shines upon us ● In good conscience a sincere pure heart hears ● To love God above all frees a soul to soar ● We are commanded to love one another ● To be a considered a friend of God one must obey ● None of God’s word should be deemed insignificant ● Faith builds confidence to endure in Him ● True faith acts living by His word ● God requires honesty, kindness, and humble hearts ● Access to heaven involves obedience to His word ● Man’s all is to keep God’s commandments Wonders of God is not a call to wander away. Darkness extinguishes all that is noble.