"KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD"
1 Corinthians 7:19
INTRODUCTION
1. The idea of "commandment-keeping" is not a popular one among many
people today
a. Some equate it with what they call "legalism"
b. Others look at keeping any kind of commandment as an unpleasant
task
1) Perhaps a carry-over from childhood?
2) Where they feel like they were constantly being "commanded" to
do things?
2. Yet keeping the commandments of God should not be looked upon by
Christians in this way - cf. 1 Co 7:19
3. In this lesson . . .
a. I want us to consider some things about keeping the commandments
of God
b. Which I hope will change any adverse feelings we may have towards
doing so
I. WHAT IS THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD "COMMANDMENT-KEEPING"?
A. IT SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF "LEGALISM"...
1. Legalism is that idea that one earns or merits salvation by
their obedience
2. Such an attitude would be wrong on the part of Christians - Ti
3:3-7
3. Unfortunately, many in reaction to legalism have gone to the
extreme of saying "commandment-keeping" is not important
4. Yet Paul, whom no one could ever accuse of being a legalist,
is the one who penned the words of our text!
[I would like to offer a different perspective, based upon two
verses that start out like our text, but end differently . . .]
B. THINK OF IT AS "FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE"...
1. Compare 1 Co 7:19 with Ga 5:6
2. Cannot keeping the commandments of God be an expression of
"faith working through love"?
a. By keeping the commandments I demonstrate my FAITH - Ja 2:
14-18
b. By keeping the commandments I show my LOVE
1) To Jesus - Jn 14:15; 15:14
2) To God - 1 Jn 5:3
3) To the children of God - 1 Jn 5:2
3. Thought of in this way, keeping the commandments of God is
very important!
C. THINK OF IT AS PRODUCING "A NEW CREATION"...
1. Compare 1 Co 7:19 with Ga 6:15
2. Cannot keeping the commandments of God be thought of as
helping to produce a "new creation"?
a. Becoming a new creation is a blessing we enjoy by being in
Christ - 2 Co 5:17
b. But to enjoy this blessing involves keeping certain
commandments...
1) For example, baptism to receive Christ - cf. Ga 3:27
2) Also, putting off and putting on certain qualities to
become like Christ - cf. Co 3:5-17
3. Again, when we think of keeping the commandments of God as
necessary to become a new creation in Christ, then it becomes
very important!
[This I believe is the proper attitude toward "commandment-keeping":
- A demonstration of our faith and love!
- Part of the process by which we can become a new creation in
Christ!
But is "commandment-keeping" hard, laborious? Is it something
unpleasant?]
II. IS "COMMANDMENT-KEEPING" A DIFFICULT TASK?
A. NOT ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT LONGEST!
1. Like the apostle John - 1 Jn 5:3
2. I strongly suspect that if you were to ask some of our elderly
saints, that they would concur with both John and the psalmist
- Ps 119:129-136
B. THE HARDEST PART IS DECIDING TO DO IT!
1. Laboring over whether to make a decision is often harder than
carrying it out
2. For example, keeping commandments given by parents to children
a. E.g., to clean the room, take out the garbage
b. The hardest part is making the decision to do it willingly
c. Once that is done, the "chore" really isn't one!
3. The same is true with keeping the commandments of God (e.g.,
baptism)
C. IT IS MADE EASY FOR US WITH THE HELP OF GOD AND CHRIST!
1. God will protect and provide as we try to keep His
commandments - 1 Co 10:13
a. Protect you from what you are unable to overcome
b. Provide you with ways of escape for that which you do face
2. Yes, we are not alone as we try to keep the commandments of
God - Ph 2:12-13; 4:13
3. Even if we are forsaken by all others in times of greatest
need, God is still there! - 2 Ti 4:16-18
CONCLUSION
1. But such blessings, and such assurance of faith, comes only to those
who like Paul live as though "keeping the commandments of God is
what matters"!
2. How important is keeping the commandments of God?
a. It is essential to receiving MERCY from God - Ps 103:15-18; Mt
7:21-23
b. It is essential to receiving the LOVE & ABIDING PRESENCE of God
- Jn 14:21,23
c. It is essential to having our PRAYERS ANSWERED - 1 Jn 3:22
Dear friends and brethren, are you keeping the commandments of God?
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