Pastor A

In the hundreds of positive commands in the Bible, God is saying, “Do these things.” However, God has also included in His Word a comparable number of negative commands in which He is saying, “Don’t do these things.” For example, II Corinthians 6:14 states:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?“

This verse teaches that a believer is not to marry an unbeliever. Yet many Christians have gotten seriously involved with a non-Christian and have asked God to make an exception to the rule. The line of reasoning is usually, “But Lord, I love him, and he loves me, and I know that someday he will become a Christian. I just don’t want to pressure him.”

God does not make exception to His commands. He has said “No” to certain things, and we are wasting time when we seek His permission to do something He has already forbidden.

It is easy to get the idea that obeying God’s commands (positive and negative) is too difficult to master. This is not so if we obey with the right motive.

I John 5:2-3, “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.“

The basis of obedience to God’s commands is love. When we truly love God, our obedience is a natural, joyous response. Jesus promised that our yoke would be easy and our burden light. And Paul testified that he could do all things through Christ. You can too!

Enjoy a Happy 4th of July! Serve Him! Obey Him!

Much of God’s will for your life has already been revealed in the Word of God. Through both positive and negative commands, He has provided a wealth of information for you to study and obey.

In looking at the positive commands, Jesus Christ gave many definite, positive commands. For example, He said that Christians are to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” in Mark 16:15. This includes you. You do not need to spend hours in earnest prayer to determine whether or not you should share the Gospel message with others.

Every command in the Bible which is addressed to Christians is a part of God’s will for your life. Some of the positive commands are:

Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” John 13:35, “Love one another.” I Corinthians 10:31, “Do all to the glory of God.” John 15:4, “Abide in me.” Ephesians 5:18, “Be filled with the Spirit.” James 1:22, “Be doers of the Word.” II Peter 3:18, “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks.“

And hundreds more could be listed. Our response to these commands should be wholehearted obedience. As you study God’s Word, you should underline each command you discover and begin that very day to obey it. Our life would be so much more fulfilled if we would do this daily.