Commandments

We have trouble with commandments.  Not understanding perfect commandments we may resist them as though they are orders imposed on our freedom as self-directed persons.  We lose proper humility.  In our pride of self-determination, in the way order statements are delivered, and in the way that those delivering them may be somewhat casual in violating the directives themselves – all contribute to natural resistance.  We may not even like suggestions when we ask for them – especially if we don’t like the suggestions given in answer to invitation.  Wise persons are careful about giving advice or counsel knowing that offense, sometimes serious offense, can be taken from a person or persons hearing or reading any words of counsel.

The strength of a commandment is related to the wisdom, right and authority of the one giving it, and in understanding the meaning to the context in point.  We may garble our situations so as to confuse considerations.  The head of a coin is usually related to an affirmative meaning: the tail to the negative.  But, it is the same coin, better appreciated when the two sides are seen in tandem meaning.  The coin is usually displayed on the face side.  The coin is worth just as much from the tail side.  God is affirmative to us in love, and he accents that in both approaches of persuasion and commandment.  He has the affirmation of honesty, but he offers the accompanying commandment: Thou shalt not bear false witness.  We discover that the affirmation of truth is partly understood in negative statement.  False witness violates truth.  We learn about the beauty of intimacy, and its spiritual meaning related to life that has something of the image of God in it.  The concept is further clarified in negative statement: Thou shalt not commit adultery.  To mix our metaphor relating to the coin, commandment may be, when rightly cast, the back door to truth that enters the front door of our lives.  Both get us into the same structure, when rightly cast.

God offers truths to achieve a very large benefit to me in that I prove in following the orders that I am committed to God and his will for my life in righteousness.  He knows in advance whether I am genuine to my identified faith.  He knows my way without testing.  Any testing is for me, and passing the test I will get on in life in a pattern different than would be the case if I did not pass the test.  Abraham learned, through firm testing – the commandment to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and Isaac acquiescing, so proving to him their faith in God and in each other.  At the crucial point the dramatic experience was turned to substitution and the animal in the thicket was offered in the place of Isaac.  If we knew enough the experience of Abraham and Isaac was made eternal in the order that Jesus was offered for the wrong in the world so to make the creation redeemed for those who find faith, genuine faith, to identify with the offering. Scripture proclaims that new life, not only for benefit to faith persons but for a new earth.  Reading the history of mankind and viewing the convulsions of nature, I find it impossible to believe that God has no plan for correction of that which began so well, but was lost along the way.  To protect his children he commands them, as a faithful parent must sometimes command a child, to gain safety for the child and relief from sorrow in the parent and child if violation of the commandment takes place.  This is seen and understood in the commandment to love one another, to honor parents, to even love one’s enemies.  It is not the way we think unless we opt into God’s way of thinking. 

God goes beyond the strictness of commandments, and woos us, assists us in doing what he asks of us, and monitors our situations as we go along.  His system is generated from holiness (perfection) so needs some of the clarification of what is necessary to gain his approval for citizenship in his community.  What he asks is a surrender of self and obedience to the new context where holiness is the atmosphere of his kingdom – an atmosphere in which only those he prepares for immortality can survive.  For those not made fit through his maturation procedures, the atmosphere of his eternal kingdom would be suffocating.  They might be likened to fish out of water.  God commands, cajoles, woos us – even shared our humanity in Jesus Christ.  The words of Jesus clarified the context to us.  How then should we live?