Month: December 2019

God made us to live temporarily in this physical world but our citizenship is in heaven. God has also provided an owner’s manual for us to use, which we know as the Holy Bible. The problem is most of us don’t take the time to study our own owner’s manual. I see at least 23 commands in the Bible from God directly related to our human nature and personal relationships; what to do, what not to do, what to avoid, and how to treat other people.  A lot of strife and bloodshed might have been prevented if biblical principles had been followed. Let’s start with the seven things God commands us not to do. God tells us three times to avoid evil men so that’s a good place to start. If you’re dealing with someone and it dawns on you they could be an axe murderer it’s time to move on very quickly.

1 Cor 15:33 – Do not be deceived; evil company corrupts good habits.

Mt 10:17 – But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils and scourge you in their synagogues.

Mt 7:15 – Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Jn 10-11 – If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine (Christ coming in the flesh), do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Rom 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Cor 6:12 – Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with foulness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Gal 5:26 – Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Rom 14:13 – Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

Lk 12:4 – And I say to you my friend, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

As believers God commands us not to grieve or quench our indwelt Holy Spirit, to have confidence in Him and to make good use of our brief time on earth.

1 Thes 5:19 – Do not quench the Holy Spirit.

Eph 4:30 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.

Heb 10:35 – Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

Heb 12:1 – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

We are told to fear God (look on Him with awe and reverence). We are told to expect attacks from Satan and urged to seek God’s protection.

1 Pet 5:6-7 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

Jas 1:2 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

Eph 6:11 – Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

1 Pet 5:8 – Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Cor 11:26 – For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death til He comes.

There are 16 commands from God in the Bible that I consider instructions for walking with God through faith in Jesus. God has put us in this sin-filled world where Satan and his demons hold sway and seek our destruction continuously. I’m sure Satan would destroy all human beings very quickly were it not for God staying his hand.  We are God’s masterpiece of creation and beloved by the Father. That infuriates Satan. God would not put us here defenseless so He has given us His Word that we might be victorious against the forces of darkness. If you go to the back of the Book you’ll see we’ve already won but Satan doesn’t believe it. Strap on the armor of God and stand.

Heb 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Phil 2:16 – Holding fast the Word of life, so that I may rejoice in the Day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Rom 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Eph 5:18 – And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

Eph 4:24 – And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Col 3:10 – And have put on the new man who is renewed in the knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

Rom 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and perfect will of God.

Eph 5:16 – For when we were without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.

There are six commands in the Bible relating to personal relationships and working effectively together. God tells us to mark troublemakers and avoid them. We are to watch for backsliders and restore them. We are told not to judge other and to settle our differences internally.  I think of all the different Christian denominations that have sprung up because people couldn’t get along so they broke off to start a new church. We have to remember Satan hates God, hates the church, and hates us. Satan is always looking for ways to divide and conquer the faithful so be on guard.

Rom 16:17 – Now I urge you brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine you have learned, and avoid them.

Phil 3:17 – Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

Gal 6:1 – Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Mt 5:24 – First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift.

Rom 14:1 – Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

2 Pet 3:17 – You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.

As believers we’re the body of Christ, the church, and we’re to assemble and worship the Lord together. I’ve always looked on this as a suggestion but it’s not.  This is an actual command from God.  It’s for our own protection.  In the Bible God has commanded us 10 times to worship together on a regular basis.  We are to treat our fellow believers as brothers and sisters and emulate Christ by our actions.

Heb 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (i.e. Second Advent).

1 Tim 4:12 – Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Rom 12:16 – Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.  Do not be wise on your own opinion.

We should all be trying to please God by following as many of His commands as possible.  These are all fairly easy commands to follow.  We just need to know what they are and that requires prayer, reading your Bible, and studying God’s Word.  You can’t “do” until you “know”.  Just remember it’s a sin not to obey God’s commands and one day we’ll be held accountable.  There are other ways besides church attendance to meet with other believers such as in a home Bible study group and on-line venues like Christian blogs.  Like animal herds in nature, there is strength in numbers.  It’s easier for Satan to pick off a lone Christian than it is someone in fellowship with other Christians.

There are 10 commandments in the New Testament for giving to the needy. I’m talking above and beyond the 10% tithe we are to give to the church. Everything on this earth belongs to God and every good thing comes from the Lord according to Scripture. Jesus gave to the poor as an example for us to emulate.  But God is no longer with us in the flesh so He gives to His children on earth through us, His servants. God also says to not store up treasures on earth because He is our provision and will surely meet our needs (see also 1 Cor 16:2, 1 Cor 15:58).  God doesn’t want us to give a while and then stop when we no longer see that particular need we were addressing. God tells us at least twice to never grow weary of giving.

The Bible says the poor are with us always so we are to look for ways to help those less fortunate.  We may not be in a position to give much financially but give what you can and there are other ways to help people that doesn’t involve money. Giving of ourselves, our time, our efforts, are also ways of helping others in need. We are to give what we are able to spare.  Remember the story of the widow who gave two mites at the temple offering which was all she had. We are to give quietly without making a show of it (giving is between you and God) because God hates a hypocrite (remember the Pharisees). We are to give cheerfully out of the abundance of the heart as the Holy Spirit moves us.

Mt 6:19 – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

Lk 3:11 – He who has two tunics, let him give one to him who has none; and he who has food let him do likewise.

2 Thes 3:13 – But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

Gal 6:9 – And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

2 Cor 8:12 – For if there is first a willing mind, it is acceptable according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

2 Cor 9:7 – So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Mt 6:3 – But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

I found 17 commands from God to believers in the New Testament related to prayer. I knew we were supposed to pray to God but I had no idea there were 17 commands! That’s a staggering amount and eclipses all other commands by a lot. If God says something twice in the Bible we should take note because it’s important. So mentioning prayer 17 times means it’s of paramount importance.  Without prayer nothing else is going to work. Jesus prayed to the Father which sets a good example for us to follow. If it was useful for Jesus to pray how much more will we benefit? God talks to us through His Word and we talk to God through prayer. The communication works both ways and is integral to fellowship with God as He intended.  If you combine prayer with Bible study God commands us at least 26 times to talk to Him. That’s astounding when you consider God is the Creator of all and we are no more than a mote in God’s eye. What mercy! What grace! What love!

There were six verses commanding us to worship God through praise and thanksgiving in the spirit by prayers to the Father (Heb 13:15, Col 3:5, Phil 4:6, 1 Cor 10:31, Col 3:17). The shed blood of Jesus removes our sin and allows us to come before God’s throne in prayer any time to ask anything of Him. Angels in heaven don’t have that access to God. Two verses confirm we can come boldly to the throne of grace by the blood of Christ (Heb 4:16, Heb 10:19-20). What strikes me is we are to pray about all things, everything, and about whatever we do. We are God’s children and He delights in hearing from us the same way we sat with our children and addressed their concerns. We are to pray always and continuously. No detail is too minor for God to hear about it.

None of us pray enough. We are all missing out on a golden opportunity to multiply our productivity and deepen our relationship with God. I was always asking God to prepare me to witness and to bring people to me. But the Great Commission doesn’t give me the option of waiting for an unbeliever to stroll by. We are to “go” and seek out the unsaved and witness to them in whatever way works. Twice God commands us to pray for more witnesses to work the harvest field bringing men to salvation (Mt 9:38, Lk 10:2). I haven’t been aggressive in my witness for Christ and I’m still not. However, I’ve started making others aware I am a witness for Christ so my availability is out there.

In the Bible I’ve identified 139 commandments from God (some are redundant). Keep in mind God made the universe and us so He makes the rules. Whatever God says is truth, is the law and is a command. God cannot lie and He is never wrong. It’s a sin to disobey a command from God.  When I grouped the commandments what jumped out to me was the basic fundamental command to study God’s Word for knowledge and understanding. That’s why God gave us the Bible in the first place. Twice God tells us directly to study His Word and seven more times God gives us commands that can only be complied with by first knowing the Word of God intimately. You cannot preach, teach, witness, lead or exhort without a working knowledge of God’s salvation plan for man from the Bible.

1 Tim. 4:13 – Till I come (Second Advent) give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

2 Tim. 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Cor. 14:20 – Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

1 Tim. 4:16 – Take heed to yourself and to doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Rom. 14:19 – Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

2 Tim. 2:24 – And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.

1 Pet. 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.

1 Pet. 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Jude 3 – Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

The second verse tells me if I know God’s Word intimately I will have God’s approval. If I have God’s approval I need nothing else when I stand before the bema judgement seat of Christ. If I know God’s Word I can expect to hear Jesus say “Well done good and faithful servant.”  My only goal in life at this point is to please God to the best of my ability and that means studying God’s Word continuously. If you study God’s Word and obey His commands that will, in turn, lead you to witnessing for Jesus Christ because of your love of God and compassion for an unsaved world.

As a retired civil service manager I had two favorite sayings my staff got tired of hearing:

1.  Don’t worry about the mule being blind; just load the wagon.

2. Plan your work and work your plan.

I’m a planner, it’s what I do. The ultimate plan is figuring out how to please God, maximize our rewards in heaven and wind up in a leadership position once we go home.  The Bible is the key because it contains God’s wisdom and instructions for us to be successful in everything I just described. After salvation start obeying God’s commands. We are weak and cannot do it on our own nor are we expected to. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit so He will help us.  We just need to pray continuously for God to help us be obedient to His Word, which God will do because it’s His will for us as well. The key is to know what to ask God for, then ask for it and keep asking for it until you get it.

God’s commands in the Bible:

1.  Study the Word of God for knowledge and understanding (9 times)
2.   Pray to God continuously (17 times)
3.   Give to the needy (10 times)
4.   Assemble and worship God (10 times)
5.   Walk with God through faith in Jesus (16 times)
6.   Invest in personal relationships ( 23 times)
7.   Resist evil (10 times)
8.   Obey the 12 original commandments ( 12 times)  

King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived and after thinking long and hard about life and happiness he came up with one conclusion.  Life is meaningless apart from a right relationship with God.  Wealth, fame and power mean nothing.  We are dust and after our brief flicker of time on this earth we go back home to the one who made us to live in fellowship with God forever (if we accept God’s mercy and grace).   Our standing in heaven will be based solely on how we live our lives here on earth (it’s why we’re here).  What we do now, right now, will affect us for the billions and billions of years of eternity in heaven.  Study God’s Word while there is time, obey the commands of God including the Great Commission of Jesus to share the gospel message to everyone who will listen to you.

God spoke the world into existence and set up the laws of the universe. God gave us the intelligence and free will to choose whom we will serve.  There are only two choices, God or Satan. Those who cannot or will not see the truth of God’s existence God calls scoffers and fools.  Once our eyes are opened our first duty is to seek God and accept God’s mercy and grace unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Our second duty, and sacred obligation, is to witness for Christ and help open the eyes of the blind.

Psalm 33:8-8 – Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.  For He spoke, and it was done: He commanded, and it stood fast.

Once we know the truth of God’s Word it is our duty to share our witness at every opportunity while we are still on this earth. Someone did it for us! It’s why we’re still here. Our goal should be to save at least one person for God’s kingdom.  Who wants to stand before God empty handed? I know I don’t.  If you find God you’ve had a successful life.  If you help someone else find God you’ve had a hugely successful life and will receive honor and glory from God in heaven on the last day.

Matthew 17:26 – For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

When you witness for Christ you’re doing God’s work and there can be no greater calling or use of your time. However, you must be able to handle rejection. Like any sales job it’s about repetition and volume. Present the gospel message and let the Holy Spirit do His work. You job is to be the sower of God’s Word always and, on occasion, be the reaper as well.  God will hold us accountable for inaction and there is no excuse. Our path is clear. We are to emulate Jesus while on this earth and we are to share our witness in order to help others to find salvation. Go save somebody, anybody, even if it’s just one person. God will faithfully reward you if you do.