WORK IN PROGRESS - projected completion date: someday
Keeping God's Commandments
“Rather, blessed are they that
hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Luke 11:28
“My son, forget not my law;
but let your heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, and peace,
shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth be forsaken:
bind them about your neck;
write them upon the table of your heart:
So you shall find favor and good understanding
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes:
fear the LORD and depart from evil.
It shall be health to your navel,
and marrow to your bones.
Honour the LORD with your substance,
and with the firstfruits of all your increase.
So shall your barns be filled with plenty,
and your presses shall burst out with new wine.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;
neither be weary of his correction:
For whom the LORD loves he corrects;
even as a father the son in whom he delights.
Happy is the man that finds wisdom,
and the man that gets understanding.
For the merchandise of it is
better than the merchandise of silver,
and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou can
desire are not to be compared to her.
Length of days is in her right hand;
and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
and happy is every one that retains her.
The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth;
by understanding has he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes:
keep sound wisdom and discretion:
So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to your neck.
Then shall you walk in your way safely,
and your foot shall not stumble.
When you lie down, you shall not be afraid:
yea, you shall lie down,
and your sleep shall be sweet.
Be not afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked,
when it comes.
For the LORD shall be your confidence,
and shall keep your foot from being taken.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
Say not to your neighbour,
Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give;
when you have it with you.
Devise not evil against your neighbour,
seeing he dwells securely by you.
Strive not with a man without cause,
if he have done you no harm.
Envy not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
For the froward is abomination to the LORD:
but his secret is with the righteous.
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked:
but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Surely he scorns the scorners:
but he gives grace to the lowly.
The wise shall inherit glory:
but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”
Proverbs 3
Keeping God's Commandments is the Pathway to
Getting Right with God
Even though we are taught that perfection is not attainable, apparently it is. What perfect means to God is simply keeping God’s commandments. In keeping God’s laws you are to go and sin no more, to avoid sin, to repent quickly when you sin, and to keep practicing these steps until they become habits and grow firmly in your own heart. Noah and Abraham are two examples of those who walked with God and were the example of perfection in their relationship with God. They did what God asked of them.
“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man
and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
Genesis 6:9
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, t
he LORD appeared to Abram,
and said unto him, I am the Almighty God;
walk before me, and be you perfect.”
Genesis 17:1
“See you how faith wrought with his works,
and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,
Abraham believed God,
and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:
and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified,
and not by faith only.”
James 2:22-24
Don’t get me wrong. Neither Noah nor Abraham were perfect people in the way we mere humans consider as perfection. Abraham took Sarah’s maid, Hagar, when Sarah had not yet gotten pregnant with the promised child. Hagar bore Abraham a son, Ishmael, out of wedlock. That certainly wasn’t God’s plan or His will for Abraham and Sarah. And Noah, he got so drunk that he lay naked and fast asleep in his drunken shame. Noah certainly wasn’t perfect to our standards. But it isn’t our standards that counts. It is God’s standard. What can we learn from this? Even if Abraham and Noah were not always keeping the laws, they were obedient to God Our Father. They loved Our Father in heaven. They repented. They talked to him. They were God’s friend.
Keeping God's Commandments is the Pathway to
God's blessings and favor
There are natural consequences of not keeping God's Commandments, like heartbreak and sorrow. Likewise, there are natural consequences of keeping God's Commandments. I highlighted in bold many of the natural and supernatural consequences of keeping God's Commandments, in Proverbs 3 above. There are many factors that affect your consequences. I get more into that topic in Book II: Battle Hymns. Suffice to say for now that you are better off having God on your side, having him turn His face towards you and give you His supernatural peace, so that you are more able to endure the trials of this world.
Walking the Walk
Walking in Holiness ~ Keeping God’s Commandments
Think about what moved you in this section. Or perhaps something you learned or want to know more about. What are some practical things you can ask God for in your prayers to Him?
Possible things to pray for (in case you need ideas!).
- Wisdom and discernment to keep God’s commandments when faced with a choice
- Courage to keep God’s Commandments, even when it difficult
- Faith to believe that keeping God's Commandments is better for me and my children
Note of caution: don’t pray for these opportunities all at once. Going slow is recommended, especially if you are healing from a hurt. In this case, ask God to take it slow with the opportunities, so you can ramp up to the one he created you to be, in such a time as this.