KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS (1)

Introduction: The Great Physician's PrescriptionTHE PATHWAY TO LONG LIFE BEGINS WITH OBEDIENCEProverbs 3:1–2 (NKJV)"My son, do not forget my law,But let your heart keep my commands;For length of days and long lifeAnd peace they will add to you."Whenever a patient visits a physician, the consultation usually ends with a prescription. The physician prescribes because he understands the human body and knows what is necessary for recovery or continued health. The prescription's effectiveness, however, depends on whether the patient follows it.Many people faithfully follow medical doctors' prescriptions, yet neglect the prescriptions of the Great Physician. They carefully measure medicines, follow diets, attend appointments, and modify their lifestyles because they believe the doctor's instructions are designed for their well-being.How much more should we trust the prescriptions given by the One who created our bodies, formed our spirits, and understands every detail of our lives?The Word of God is not merely a collection of religious rules. It is the Creator's instruction manual. Every commandment He gives proceeds from His infinite wisdom and His immeasurable love. God never commands anything that is ultimately harmful, nor does He forbid anything that would truly bless His children.When Solomon opens Proverbs 3 with the words, "My son," we hear more than the voice of an earthly father. We hear the loving invitation of our Heavenly Father speaking to His children.The chapter begins not with a warning but with an appeal of love."My son..."This is the language of relationship. God does not command us as a harsh dictator. He instructs us as a loving Father. Before He gives a command, He reminds us whose we are. Relationship always precedes responsibility. Grace always comes before obedience.OBEDIENCE FLOWS OUT OF RELATIONSHIPOne of the greatest misunderstandings about obedience is the idea that Christians obey God to earn His acceptance. The gospel teaches exactly the opposite. We obey because we have already been accepted through Jesus Christ.Paul writes, "Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).Our acceptance rests entirely upon Christ's finished work. Our obedience is therefore not an attempt to gain God's love. It is our response to His love.Jesus Himself said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15).Notice that Jesus did not say, "If you want Me to love you, keep My commandments."He said, "If you love Me …” Love produces obedience. Obedience is the evidence of love, not the price of love.Imagine a young child who eagerly obeys his father because he loves and trusts him deeply. His obedience is not driven by fear but by relationship. In the same way, mature believers obey because they know the Father's heart.Rev. Cheong Yew KwongFaith Church SingaporePlease visit our website at faithchurch.sg#goodtoread ... See MoreSee Less

守神的诫命 (一)

引言：伟大医者的处方长寿的起点是顺服箴言 3:1-2� 我儿，不要忘记我的法则，你心要谨守我的诫命。�因为他必将长久的日子、生命的年数与平安加给你。每当有人去看病，医生问诊结束时通常都会开处方。这是因为他了解人体，知道哪些是恢复或维持健康的条件。但处方能否奏效，取决于病人是否遵照说明去执行。许多人一丝不苟地遵行医院医生的处方，却忽略了那位最伟大的医生为你开出的药方。他们仔细按量服药、恪守饮食禁忌、按时复诊、调整生活方式，因为他们相信医生的嘱咐是为了让自己得益处。何况是那位创造我们身体、塑造我们灵人，洞悉我们生命每一处细节的主，祂所开的处方，我们岂不更加应当信靠吗？神的话语不只是一套宗教规条，而是造物主为所造之物配套发行的使用说明书。祂的每一条诫命都出自祂无穷的智慧与浩大的慈爱。神从来不会吩咐我们去做任何有害的事情；也不会禁止那些真正能够祝福到祂儿女的行为。所罗门以“我儿”作为箴言第3章的开篇。我们听见的不仅是一位世上父亲的声音，更是天父向祂儿女充满慈爱的呼召。这一章的开篇并非警示告诫，而是满有慈爱的劝勉。“我儿……”这是表明关系的语言。神不是以一个冷酷无情独裁者的姿态向我们颁布命令，而是作为慈爱的父亲来教导我们。在祂发出命令前，祂先提醒我们属于谁。关系永远先于责任，恩典总在顺服之先。顺服源于关系人们对顺服存在一个极大的误解：以为基督徒顺服神是为了赢得祂的悦纳。可福音的教导恰恰相反：我们顺服是因为我们藉着耶稣基督已经蒙神悦纳了。保罗写道：“我们既因信称义，就借着我们的主耶稣基督得与神相和。”（罗马书5:1）我们蒙神悦纳，是全然建立在基督已经成全的工作上。因此，我们的顺服不是为了谋求神的爱，而是对祂爱的回应。耶稣自己说过：“你们若爱我，就必遵守我的命令。”（约翰福音14:15）请注意，耶稣并没有说：“你们如果想要我来爱你们，就当遵守我的命令。”祂说：“你们若爱我……”爱会生出顺服。顺服是爱的凭据，而非爱的标价。试想一个孩子因为对父亲深深的爱和信任，所以甘心乐意顺服他。他的顺服不是出于惧怕，而是源于彼此之间的关系。同样，成熟的信徒顺服神，是因为他们深知天父的心意。新加坡信心教会请访问我们的中文播客,faithchurch.sg/牧师手札/#牧师手札 ... See MoreSee Less