Kingdom Living - The Commands of ChristSample

Commands of Christ: 74 

Keep the commandments. 

In Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus said,“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” 

In our day, many religious teachers are denying the validity of these commands in the name of “good theology.” It is true enough that we are not under law but under grace. It is true enough that we cannot and will not earn salvation by obeying these commands. But what so many fail to recognize is that if we recognize all that Christ has done for us, and if we walk in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit Whom He gives us, our love and gratitude and Spirit- filled life will result in a life that surpasses these commands. We will not only obey them but we will go beyond them. Obeying them out of love and gratitude is the least we can do. Keep the commandments. Teach the commandments. Do it from a Spirit-filled life of love and gratitude.