Introduction

1. If we are to understand the Word of God we must give careful attention to the commands God has put in His Word. We are to keep the commandments of Jehovah "for our good," Deuteronomy 10:13, and therefore we ought to love His "commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold," Psalm 119:127.

2. Jesus said, "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," John 15:10. Again, Jesus emphasized that "Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you," John 15:14.

I.GOD TEACHES US BY THE DIRECT STATEMENTS OR COMMANDS IN HIS WORD.

A. Let us note some passages which illustrate this:

1. Mark 16:15,16, "Go ye into all the world..."

2. Acts 17:30, "...he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent"

3. Acts 22:16, "arise, and be baptized"

4. 1 Cor.11:24, "this do in remembrance of me"

5. 1 Cor.16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store..."

6. 1 Thess.5:14, "admonish...encourage...support"

7. 2 Thess. 3:6, "Now we command you..."

B. Some commands are general (generic) and some are specific. Illust. "Go purchase some candy."  This is general since any kind of candy can be purchased and the command be fully obeyed.  On the other hand, the command to "go purchase a Hershey bar" is specific. It excludes all other kinds of candy.

Note: Under the Law of Moses, God expected people to carry out His commands exactly as He gave the commands.  This is also true under the New Testament: "For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them  that heard..." (Heb.2:2,3)? See also Acts 3:22,23.