The Word of God and His Commandments

Reconciling the Word of God and the Commandments 

It has taken some time to write this article since a bond of fellowship was lost over a dispute about the Lord’s commandments.  I was recently led to compile my thoughts into this article.  May these words provide comfort and reconciliation to any brothers or sisters who have struggled with questions about the totality of the Word of God and the Lord’s specific commandments.

Anyone following Christ has a keen inner force [i.e., the Holy Spirit] causing them to learn and keep the Lord’s commandments.  Such obedience is the very definition of salvation from sin and the purpose the Lord comes.  All the Lord’s commandments are summed up into one new commandment the Lord gave us.

Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

Christ only does what His Father leads Him to do. Christ’s disciples likewise are to follow the lead of the Spirit of Christ dwelling within them.

Joh 5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Once given the Truth [His Word = the Truth], as we abide in that Word,  the truth sets us free from our sins.

Joh 8:31  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 
Joh 8:32  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

If we belong to Him, the voice of the Lord, which is the Word of God, is speaking to us.  His voice is not usually audible, although from the Scriptures we learn it’s possible.  Instead, the Lord actively speaks to us by a quickening in our spirit.  This is how we are serving Him in the newness of spirit.

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. [living inside His people in His Temple]

This includes the written commandments in the Scriptures coming alive in our hearts and minds, but it can include memories,  thoughts, and even our experiences that the Lord is causing.  The words of the Lord are not just what is in our Bibles, as the Scriptures reveal.

Once given the Spirit, we have God living within us [His Temple] and are warned not to depart from the Lord.

Heb 3:12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

The Word of God is a two-edged sword that is always judging us, exposing our thoughts, and weighing on our consciousness

Heb 4:12  NKJV For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

The Spirit of God is actively teaching us right versus wrong and brings correction. The written commandments remain an eternal guide, but we now have a force, the Spirit of the living God, helping and comforting us on the journey.  More to come on this aspect of hearing the Lord, but first we need to bring in the Scriptures before going further.

What About the Scriptures?

The Scriptures are the Word of God and the primary tool the Lord gives us to learn and teach His ways to others.  Here just a few examples showing the church teaching the Scriptures which are the word of God.

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Act 13:5  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

2Co 4:2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 

The Scriptures are essential and integral to defining what comprises the Living Word of God.  What may be dead letters to someone devoid the Spirit become alive when Christ comes to us.

The Lord says His words are eternal and shall never pass away.  They are always living and active in the lives of God’s people.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

Isa 40:8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.

The Scriptures that have been written and preserved for us are essential for one to stay on the narrow path toward salvation.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

Among other benefits, the Scriptures are for our learning and to give us comfort and hope.

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

The Scriptures themselves testify that the entirety of them are the Words of the Lord.  This is because the Scriptures were created by His inspiration to move the men He chose to write them down.

2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

Jesus Christ is the living logos or Living Word of God to which the Scriptures witness and testify.  It is by Christ, the Living Word, that all things that exist have been made.

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

We have often written about every man fulfilling the prophecies in the Scriptures at the appointed time.  All things are ours to fulfill, so the Scriptures are the Words of the Lord that we are living by at the appointed time.

Luk 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Every man in the faith came to the faith, having it sparked by hearing of the Word.  The word is preached to us by a God-sent minister/preacher.  With spiritual ears to hear, we hear the Word, and faith is born for those it was preordained.  This reveals the critical importance of the written Word that has been preserved for the Lord’s people in every generation.

Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Examples of this in the early church are all over the Book of Acts [the Ethiopian Eunuch] and the missions of Paul in Asia, where the Lord added to the church when the written Word was preached.

1Th 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

Act 6:7  And the word of God increased; [by the preaching of the Gospel] and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 

Despite the profound importance of the written Word, aka The Scriptures, the Lord is not limited to what has been written. Many things He did and said were not written.

Joh 21:25  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen

What are we to make of this?  With God-given ears to hear and eyes to see, the Scriptures provide essential knowledge, teach us sound doctrine, and become the witness for us to try the spirits to see if things are true.  Yet Christ rebuked the Pharisees who knew the Scriptures carnally but were unwilling to come and follow Him.  The Scriptures testify of Jesus Christ and only become living and active when the Spirit is given.

Joh 5:38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

The Lord Speaks Outside the Scriptures

The Lord is found in the Scripture, as those are His Words which testify to Him.  The Lord and His Word are inseparable, yet are the Scriptures the only words Christ spoke or the only way He speaks to us today?  Most certainly not, and the Scriptures themselves testify to this truth.

The Lord is now speaking from heaven, into the hearts and minds of His chosen people.  This inner guidance is the light of the world that is leading us to salvation.  We need not refuse to heed the Lord in our day of the Lord, as the Lord is getting His way in bringing salvation.

Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Thus, we see the grace of God in operation by the voice of the Lord, who now speaks from heaven.

The Lord told the disciples, who had yet to be given the Holy Spirit, that He had more to say, but they could not bear it then. A future time comes when one is prepared to bear greater truth and heavier trials.

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth [My Word] for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

We have countless examples where the Lord spoke to His people throughout the Bible.  This begins with Adam and includes all the Patriarchs and Prophets.  The Lord spoke directly to His people then in the shadow of the law, and He is doing the same today.  We need to learn to be still and mute the clang of Babylon, to hear what the Lord may be telling us.

1Ki 19:12  And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 

The Lord is speaking through everything we experience.  The Lord works all things for His counsel, including everyone we interact with and even what they are led to say.  Christ tells us not to worry about what we shall say when persecuted, as He will give us the words to speak.

Mat 10:19  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 

Mat 10:20  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

The Lord also speaks through angels (aka messengers) that He puts into our path to guide and teach us at opportune times.  All things are ours to fulfill.

Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 

There has been a living Body of Christ in every generation since Pentecost.   The Lord has ascended into their individual and collective heavens, where He continues to speak through His living and active mouth.

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

The Lord even speaks through dreams and visions.

Act 18:9  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 

Joe 2:28  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 

Do not dismiss any dream or vision experience quickly, but seek wisdom from on high, and the Lord promises to give us answers.

The Lord can even speak through a donkey, as we learn from the story of Balaam.  Eventually, we are coming to see the Lord speaking everywhere, via many different means, including our trials, and yes, even through the written Scriptures as we continue to study and meditate on them.

The Lord is Teaching His People 

All men remain unlearned and spiritually blind and deaf and unable to “hear” the words of the Lord until He comes and heals them.  Thus, the call of the Lord when He preached was often prefaced with “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”.

The Scriptures show we are led, taught, and instructed by His Spirit.   This does not mean others did not speak the Words, as we have already seen the Lord has many mouthpieces to use at His disposal.

Psa 25:8  Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 

1Th_4:9  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

The Scriptures themselves include many commandments that with with God given eyes to see and ears to hear, are teaching us the higher ways of the Lord.

Yet the Lord is not limited just to what is written.  He is everywhere, and apart from Him, we can do nothing, meaning He is speaking through our life experiences.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

Joh 6:45  It is written in the prophets [Isa 54:13], And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 

The very promise of the New Covenant foretells of this mystery of the Lord’s work in us.

Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

One thing is certain.  What is true and right has not changed.  Anything we hear as the words of the Lord cannot contradict the truth that is written and contained in the sum of the Scriptures. Jesus Christ is the eternal truth, the life, and the way.

Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. 

The very next verse in Hebrews gives us great context.  Remembering the Lord [The Word of God] does not change, helps us from being led astray by those who preach false doctrines yet claim them as the words of the Lord.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 

The Scriptures Protect Us From Error

The Scriptures warn us of deception,  false prophets, and deceivers throughout.  All of this is the Lord’s work as deceivers are His workmanship and sent for His purposes [Job 12:16] in perfecting the faith of the chosen.

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

We need always to be circumspect and confirm what we hear, as the word of God is indeed true.  We are learning to be vigilant in trying every spirit.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

Truth is established upon the confirmation of at least two or three confirming witnesses, as it is written.

2Co 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 

The plumbline in the hand of the Lord is the Scriptures, and specifically, His commandments have been written and preserved.  We shall hold them dear to keep us on the straight and narrow path.

Amo 7:7  Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. 

We are being reminded of the Lord’s commandments every time we study the Scriptures.  We are to continue in what we have been taught.  Becoming wise unto salvation comes from knowing the Scriptures.

2Ti 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

The Lord is not the author of confusion and has preserved the Scriptures for us to be a checkpoint of what is true and what is false regarding the messages we hear. One needs to follow the example of the Bereans, who tried the spirits by searching the Scriptures for the necessary confirming witnesses.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

The hearts of all men are deceitful and are easily led astray by the wickedness and corruption living in all flesh.  The Scriptures teach us to always guard our minds by being circumspect of any new word or doctrine.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 

2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

Anything we hear as the word of God that is not confirmed in the Scriptures cannot be accepted as truth.  The safety and protections the Lord has provided are there for a reason.

 Going Above What is Written

It is a slippery slope of confusion and ready deception if one strays beyond what is written regarding the Word of God.  Lord willing, none of us is doing this as we take heed to the warnings.

1Co 4:6  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 

This is how men become puffed up, generate strife, create divisions, and endless denominations have sprung forth.  The one true church is not divided over these issues, however.

The examples of what Jesus Christ said, preserved in the Scriptures for our edification,  confirm this needs to be our mindset.  In a preponderance of situations when confronting the carnally minded [Satan, the Pharisees, the Jews who had the devil as their father], the Lord made sure to use the preamble “It is Written” to establish the truth and veracity of what He was communicating.  Some examples include:

To the Devil:

Luk 4:8  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve 

To the Pharisees:

Mar 7:6  He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 

The Scriptures and other messages we may “hear” from the Lord always agree.  There is no conflict and contradiction in the word of God rightfully divided.  Jesus Christ is not divided, and His House is not falling.

Luk 11:17  But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 

1Co 1:13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 

We are Commanded to Teach Others and Our Children

The Scriptures command us to teach others, including our children [physical and spiritual], in the ways of the Lord.  At first glance, it seems to be in conflict with what we just reviewed regarding the Lord being our teacher.   But it is not when we remember it is the Lord working all things and inspiring those He chooses to speak and preach the Gospel.  We are specifically called to preach the commandments as they are written.

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in My name 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

The greatest in the kingdom of heaven are those who are doing these commandments AND teaching them.

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

This is the high calling.  It is an honor given to few to go and preach the Gospel.  The early church was recorded as being heavily invested in teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.

Act 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 

Our acts of teaching the commandments of Jesus Christ are difficult for the flesh as they will invite pushback and persecution from a carnal world that hates Him.  Yet we are commanded to do it and suffer the resulting reproach as our Lord did.

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 

1Ti 4:11  These things command and teach. 

Is there a definitive list of the commandments under the law of Faith?  What Commands are we to obey?

Many believe that there is no definitive list of commandments under the New Covenant regarding those of the faith of Jesus Christ.  Anyone can find various lists of Christ’s commandments with a simple internet search, yet generally speaking, it is true that a list is not widely available or published to the masses of professing Christians.  Anyone can readily assemble a list by extracting them from the Scriptures, but it is simpler to just read and study the Scriptures as often as we can.   We are to teach and obey all of them.

Does the lack of an officially published list mean that there are no specified commandments to be obeyed?  The answer is NO!  We have already been reminded of the benefits and values we reap by studying and meditating on the Scriptures, which are the Word of the Lord.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

It is a valuable exercise to put together our own list [“unofficial”] of commandments.  Anything that reminds us of His commandments helps us stay the course and accelerate His appearing within us.

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 

Under the law of faith in the New Covenant, we have something much greater than a list of commandments.  We have the living Spirit of Christ abiding with us.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and is the Word that is guiding and leading us 24x7x365.  We won’t need to be told when we sin or make a mistake.

Joh 16:8  And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

The Holy Spirit pricks our hearts, lets us know we have erred, and tells us what to do.  This does not invalidate the commandment to study the Scriptures to show ourselves approved.    They remain the plumbline and spiritual compass to keep us on the straight and narrow.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Lord willing, we are confessing our sins before the Lord.   Loving God in deed and truth is obeying His commandments and responding with confession when we do not in a moment of weakness.  It is through the exercise of this experience that we gain confidence and make progress towards overcoming.

1Jn 3:20  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 

The living Christ that reproves us is becoming the author of our salvation. Flesh will not want to be reminded of the Lord’s commandments written in the Scriptures.  Far easier for us to claim we are being led by the Spirit, dismissing the written commandments even if our fruits say otherwise.  Keeping oneself in study and meditation on the written commandments can only hasten our progress, as the Lord rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Nothing is happenstance.  All is preordained by the Lord to imprint His commandments.  The Book of Hebrews admonishes the church to move beyond their dullness of hearing by partaking in the meatier things of the Word.  I see this as one embracing the still voice of the Lord that is ever present in our many trials and hardships.  We are being prepared for service, and He is molding us by our collective experiences. By eating strong meat in the Spirit, we gain the strength needed to move onward.

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We are truly forgiven our sins.  Christ has already paid the atonement, and it is not up to us to save ourselves or make ourselves righteous as under the Law of Moses.  The condemnation that came under the law of Moses is not found under the law of faith in Jesus Christ.  We are now alive with the Spirit of a living God who is leading us as sojourners in the wilderness.

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened [make alive] together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 

Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 

The blotting out of the law of Moses and its many ordinances does not mean the Lord no longer has any commandments to obey.  Many have twisted Paul’s Scriptures to their destruction claiming they just follow the Spirit where it leads them.  This study covered the elevation of the standards for righteousness, “The End of the Law for Righteousness”.

If we do not know the Lord’s commands or keep them at the forefront of our minds, we are going to struggle to keep them.  The history of Israel looking for the promised land is our journey, and this was written regarding the Lord’s commandment for our benefit under the law of faith.

Deu 6:6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 

Deu 6:7  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 

Deu 6:8  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 

The brethren of Christ, which is also His Mother that give birth to spiritual children are the ones who not only hear the Word but are also doing it, meaning obeying the commandments.

Luk 8:21  And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. 

To love God, we are keeping the commandments.  If we do not keep His commandments, we are given some harsh truths to consider, despite what we may proclaim.

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

1Jn 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 

1Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

We have all been lying hypocrites at some point.  We all will get puffed up with knowledge and forget all about the commandments.  Lord willing, we are now remembering those commandments and taking greater heed.

We are thankful to understand the importance of the Lord’s commandments and where they are found.  My hope is that those the Lord sends can get clarity on the topic and bring those commandments to be top of their mind.

Grace and peace to all.

 

Pete