This post is for DHK's reference to the "Commandments of God"
The pre-cross Commandments of Christ the Creator were to be kept by Christ’s followers.
John 14:15
”If you love Me keep My commandments”
These are the Words of Christ the Creator as He quotes from the 2nd commandment.
But what exactly did these pre-cross words of Christ “mean” to His Jewish followers – the “primary audience” that exegesis would have us consider?
Lets see if we can discover that by looking at some more statements found in God’s Word.
Matt 5:17-22
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
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.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Instead of “less obedience” to each commandment of Christ the Creator – God calls for “more”.
Matt 5:27-28 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Instead of “less obedience” to each commandment of Christ the Creator – God calls for “more”. No wonder Paul says --
Romans 3:31 “Do we then abolish the Law of God by our faith? God forbid! In fact we Establish the Law of God”
So lets see. The law will not change in even the minutest way, till heaven and earth pass. Anyone who breaks the law, and teaches others to do so, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. Thinking about committing sin is now just like actually committing the sin. Ah, the law has been magnified. Christ came and fulfilled the law, observing all of it’s commands, even in thought, not just action.
Yes, lets let the scriptures speak for themselves.
John 15:10-11 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 14:15 (quoting from the 10 commandments) “IF you love Me Keep My commandments”
Christ quotes from the 3rd commandment for the statement above.
Christ said that HIS commandment and the Father’s Commandment are one and the same
John 12:50
"I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."
Notice that John promotes this theme not only with his recording the pre-cross statements of Christ the hCreator – but also the post –cross teaching.
I Jn 2:3-4 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Matt 19:17 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Christ condemns those who would break the Commandments of God for the sake of man-made tradition –
Matthew 15:3
And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
Christ’s followers continue to keep the Sabbath commandment after His command that they should “Love Me and Keep My Commandments” John 14:15 (quoting from the 3rd commandment in Exodus 20)
Luke 23:56
Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Why do the Gospel writers take such care to teach us what Christ commanded them?
Matt 28:
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Notice that John does not try to “divide God” as if God’s commandments are not Christ’s
I Jn 5:2-3 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Rev 12:17 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 14:12 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Rev 22:14 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
As for Law and Grace -- Pauls words in Romans 2:13-16 come to mind relative to "justification".
Romans 2
13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Here the "New Covenant" promise of the "Law written on the heart" is clearly seen.
Is it any wonder that Paul writes
"Do we then make void the Law of God by our faith? God forbid! In fact we Establish the Law" Rom 3:31
And James 2 tells us to live and act as those "Who are to be judged by God's Law of Liberty".
God is not "calling for rebellion against His Law" as many Christians today "suppose".
Nor is He "abolishing His law" so that only the lost are guilty of breaking it - but the saved can freely transgress and in fact are commanded not to regard it at all. Rather God declares that the name of God is profaned among the wicked by the breaking of His law among the saints. (in Romans 2)