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.