They that Keep the Commandments of God

       In the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:1), in chapter 12 verse 17 the holy record records that the dragon or devil is wrath with the woman or church,  and makes war with them which keep the commandments of God.  Further in chapter 14 of the Revelation of Jesus Christ in verse 12 we read that those who in the final end have constancy and hopeful enduring patience are they who keep the commandments of God.  Finally we read in chapter 22 verse 14 that,  "blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city."

      On one occasion in Matt. 19:16-22, one came to Jesus and asked the question, "Good Master what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"  And Jesus answered and said, "if thou wilt enter life keep the commandments."  And so that all would know for all times what commandments He was speaking of, Christ named 5 of the 10 commandments.  Then he summed up the whole law with the love principal.  Beloved, it is abundantly clear that the inspired word teaches that all who will enter eternal life, have a right to eat of the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city of God will be commandment keepers.  Commandment keeping does not earn heaven for them, but all who have accepted the free gift of salvation, naturally keep God’s commandments by the imparted power of the free gift.  Because God’s people live the commandments of God which is the expression of love, the dragon or devil is wroth with them, and makes war against them.  None will with constancy endure patiently this warfare except those who have written within them by the Spirit of God, God’s character of love – His Ten Commandments.

     Understand Beloved, that the commandments of God are infinitely more than just rules to control conduct.  In Psalms 119 the inspired word declares in verse 86, "All thy commandments are faithful."  And in verse 15 we find "all thy commandments are truth."  Then in verse 172 we see "for all thy commandments are righteousness."  The Commandments of God are what God is, and how God lives.  That is why in verse 47 of Ps. 119 the inspired writer declares, "I will delight myself in the commandments, which I have loved."  The facts are, keeping or living God’s law of love, is being faithful to living the expression of love.  The one who obeys all God’s commandments is living a life of truth.  Note that if all God’s commandments are righteousness, then any who do all God’s commandments are living the righteousness of God by faith.

            A very deep spiritual reality is here being revealed.  To keep God’s commandments is to have God living within the soul.  After all, no person can in spirit and heart keep God’s commandments unless God is living within them, living His character of love out through them.  1 John 4:8 declare plainly, "God is love."  Here is an inspired definition of what God is.

     Do you profess to love God?  Do you profess to be born again?  Do you profess to know the Lord?  God plainly says in 1 John 2:3-4 these eternal truths, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."  Further we read in 1 John 5:2-3, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."  All ten of God’s commandments are the expression of love, truth and righteousness.  All who know God and love God, express God’s love by living His commandments of love.

            Romans 7:12 declare the commandments are holy, and just, and good.  Therefore the Bible records in Psalms 103:17-18, "the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."  Beloved never forget the words of Eccl 12:13-14 which declare, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."  This is why God says in Pro. 4:4, "keep my commandments, and live."  They are infinitely more than a group of restrictions. The Law of God is the manifestation, outworking and revelation of God’s eternal love.  2 John verse 6 witnesses, "And this is love, that we walk after his commandments."  And with this the words that Jesus Himself spoke agree, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love."  John 15:10.  Finally Jesus said in John 14:15-21 "If ye love me, keep my commandments.  He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

            Beloved, in spite of clear instructions, commands, and revelation from the mouth of God, the majority of the professed Christian world has shown open contempt for God’s commandments.  It is the spirit of the dragon dressed up in professed Christian garments.  People professing to know God, and declaring being born again, yet say that there is no need of keeping God’s commandments.  The very expression and revelation of God these so called Christians have cast away saying that they are free from the bondage of God’s commandments.  This is Satan in the midst of Christendom speaking lies through souls who love darkness and hate the light.  The same enmity that Satan had from the beginning for God and his commandments, is now being taught and lived by the majority of Christendom.  The question in Matt. 15:3 asked by Jesus himself, is applicable to Christendom today.  Jesus asked the leaders of the church "why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"  Then Jesus declared in verse 6-9, "thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

            Beloved, let us heed the counsel of Ro. 3:4 which states "let God be true, but every man a liar."  If God commands it, no matter what my Minister or Pastor says, no matter what my mother or father says, no matter what my wife or husband says, no matter what my brother of sister says, no matter what my friends or enemies say, God is truth and the majority.  What God says and commands is the only thing necessary for us to believe, follow and obey.  If the whole world, and the whole professed Christian world refuses to believe and follow a thus saith the Lord, we must and will follow alone. Remember, knowing God is always sufficient enough, for God is the majority, and eternal life.