The Commandments of the Lord.
By J. M. Gallemore
Says the psalmist, “I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy commandment is exceeding broad.” Ps. 119: 96. David had seen an end of all perfection, but he could see no end to the commandments of the Lord. Solomon also thought the commandments of the Lord very broad. He said, “Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Certainly, then, God’s commandments are very broad, covering, as they do, the whole duty of man. So very broad and so very important are they that the Saviour himself says of them, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” The commandments of the Lord are not only broad, and to be kept, but the psalmist adds: “All his commandments are sure; they stand fast forever and ever.” And if they all stand fast forever and ever, must not the fourth one also stand? Who will venture to say and teach that it does not? We read in Revelation, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.” The Saviour, speaking of the commandments, says: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 5:19. Hence our admission into the city depends on an observance of God’s law. In 1 John 2:4, we read, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Professed Christian, you who say you love God, are you trying to keep his commandments? Or do you profess to know him, while you are knowingly violating at least one of his holy precepts? Will you not think about this, and examine the ground you occupy? Salvation is too precious a boon for us to lose, or to run the risk of losing, with the word of the Lord against us. We are admonished to make our calling and election sure, and we know of no better way to do this than to obey from the heart all that God has commanded us. Does he command us to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy? And does he not tell us that the seventh day is his Sabbath? How read you?