Christ’s Commands!
"Now by this we know that we know Him,
if we keep His commandments."
1 John 2: 3
Democracy is rule by many; oligarchy is rule by a few; autocracy
is rule by one; anarchy is rule by none. Anarchy usually arises as a
temporary, chaotic result of collapse of some form of government—
and is usually replaced by order and authority of some kind.
Christianity can never be described as anarchy because of its
emphasis on laws (commands) and authority (the Lordship of
Christ). Apostle John had a clear sense of the necessity for
obeying Christ’s commands.
For him, obedience to Christ was the manifestation of true faith in
Christ. John’s writings emphasize this over and over (John 14:15;
15:7-14; 1 John 2:4-5; 3:6, 22, 24; 5:2-3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12).
John also emphasizes that we never outgrow this requirement—just
as citizens never outgrow their responsibility to obey society’s laws.
John addresses children, young men, and fathers—emblematic of
various stages of spiritual development with his references to
obeying Christ (1 John 2:12-14).
It may be easy to grow careless about obeying civil laws,
and that carelessness can show up in our spiritual obedience
as well. Keeping His commands reminds us of who is Lord—
and who isn’t.
"By obeying Christ’s commands you
will gain more than you can give."
Thomas Brooks
