A Protestant lady visiting my church asked why we keep Saturday as the Sabbath. I explained that we love Jesus, and Jesus said if we love Him to keep His commandments. (See John 14:15) She responded indignantly, “But you can’t keep the commandments!” I should have been surprised, but I had heard such a response … Continue reading –>
My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart.Tie them around your neck. Proverbs 6:20-21 NLT Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Proverbs … Continue reading –>
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15 God, in sending His Son, demonstrated His love for man. This demonstration of love is designed to pierce the hard-heartedness of man and open up his heart to reciprocate that love. Without love as a motivating factor, the keeping of the law, weighed in the scales … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Spirituality of the Law, p. 45-78, in Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing; The Sermon on the Mount, p. 307-314, and Controversy, p. 606-609, in The Desire of Ages. Speaking of the law, Jesus said, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill . . .; that is, … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 19:16-22. From the immediate details of this specific story, what broad and important truths can we derive from this account about the law and what keeping of the law entails? The rich young man couldn’t comprehend that salvation from sin does not come from following the law, even strictly. It comes, rather, from … Continue reading –>
A. J. Jacobs spent a year living what he considered to be “biblically.” He grew his hair and beard long and walked around New York City dressed like Moses, looking for people who were breaking any of the rules of the Old Testament. On day 62 he went to Central Park to follow the command … Continue reading –>
During another encounter Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 15:1-20; see also Mark 7:1-13), they questioned Him about a tradition of the elders, one not found in the Law of Moses. This tradition stipulated that one should ritualistically wash his hands before eating, something Jesus’ disciples had neglected to do. Christ immediately responded … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : God’s consistent law provides stability and security. God’s grace facilitates living in accordance with its provisions. [Lesson Plan for The Law of God September 1, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 5:17-19. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. What … Continue reading –>
How did Jesus expand the meaning of the law, as seen in Matthew 5:27-28? What did He say in Matthew 5:29-30? How are we to take these words? In this passage Christ referred to two commandments: the seventh and the tenth. Until then, the Israelites considered adultery to be only the overt physical sexual act … Continue reading –>
After establishing the perpetuity of the Ten Commandments, Jesus continued His Sermon on the Mount, now setting forth a few specific examples of Old Testament laws. People had so greatly misunderstood these specific commandments that Jesus felt the vital need of explaining their true meaning. What contrast did Jesus make with each aspect of the … Continue reading –>
