Identifying the Father’s Holy Commandment There are several points to contemplate in identifying the Holy Commandment. First, the Holy Commandment is holy, just as Paul recorded it to be in Romans 7. Fitting this viewpoint, Peter records that the Holy Commandment is our way of living right. As we know, the just shall live by faith as a way of righteousness, not by any other means: “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the Holy Commandment delivered unto them” (2 Pet. 2:21). Second, the Holy Commandment like the Father’s Commandment was delivered to the saints (2 Pet. 2:21; Jude v. 3), just as it was received in 2 John v. 4. Third, and consistent with the aforementioned points, the Holy Commandment “came” to Paul in Romans 7, just as faith comes to every Christian (Rom. 10:17). Fourth, the Holy Commandment is “to life,” which more than matches the locution: “And I know that his commandment is life everlasting . . .” (John 12:50). Fifth, neither the Father’s Commandment nor the Holy Commandment characterizes the “thou shalt not covet” commandment. Sixth, and most important is the fact that no commandment of the law is “to life,” nor, in itself, can the law bring life (Gal. 3:21). Thus the commandment of Romans 7:10, is not a commandment of the law, but a commandment of faith leading “to life”! Now there is only one way for the just to live, and again, that is by faith in Jesus Christ. And here lies substantial proof that the Holy Commandment and the Father’s Commandment are one in the same. For both are “faith that works by love” commandments leading “to life” (John 12:50; Rom. 7:10)! Paul penned, “Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment of promise)” (Eph. 6:2). In penning this reference to the fifth commandment of the Decalogue, Paul more than inferred a second commandment of promise. That second commandment of promise is none other than the Father’s Holy Commandment of faith and love, being the real commandment of promise ordained “to life.” As we should see, one pertains to longer life in the flesh, the other to eternal life through Jesus Christ. In sum, if we should contend for this identified Father’s Holy Commandment, whether through apologetics in the pulpit, or by our lifestyles, or both, we contend for the faith once delivered and received by the saints. In thought or deed, there is no better way to watch for His appearing, other than the daily partaking of the Father’s Commandment. Surely the keeping of the faith commandment generates the light of holiness and assures the reward of the inheritance (Col. 3:24)! AND THIS IS HIS COMMANDMENT, THAT WE SHOULD BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS HE GAVE US COMMANDMENT (1 JOHN 3:23). BUT THOU, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE THESE THINGS; AND FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PATIENCE, MEEKNESS. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH . . . . THAT THOU KEEP THIS COMMANDMENT WITHOUT SPOT, UNREBUKABLE, UNTIL THE APPEARING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (1 TIM. 6:11-14)!
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 18:23:28 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015