KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS

[LoveYeshua]

Many "Bible believers" believe what they want to believe, and add to scripture what isn't there, take away what they don't like, and call it good...like you. It's common and routine. The commandments also require a fencing around the perimeter of your roof, and that you abstain from various meats, and that you not wear clothing of blended fiber, but I suspect you don't follow those commandments. I have money in my cloths that says you don't, but what the hay, right?

BTW

what you described are not the commandments but are the rest of the laws that Moses added for the israelites in those days. Many of these laws of Moses cannot be followed today. The Commandments normally are always the ten commandments also called the Covenant by GOD himself in several places in the O.T.

 

[LoveYeshua]

[Matthew 19:17 KJV] 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

This verse demands some evaluation. Was Jesus saying to keep the commandments to have eternal life? Israel failed to keep the law. No one can keep the law.

[Galatians 3:24 KJV] 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

[Rom 3:20 KJV] 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

The law was our schoolmaster to give the knowledge of sin and bring us to Christ.

[Matthew 19:18-19 KJV] 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The young man asked Christ what commandments did he have to keep. Jesus states that the commandments are the Mosaic law.

[Matthew 19:20-21 KJV] 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

The young man said he kept the law's commandments and Jesus did not refute him.

Jesus told him that what he lacked was to sell all he had. This command is not in the law of Moses so why does Jesus say he needed to sell all he had?

[Mark 10:17, 19-21 KJV] 17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? ... 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Here in Mark we find the same account. The young man was told to sell all his possessions.

[Mark 10:23-25 KJV] 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Here we have an explanation as to what Jesus meant by saying to keep the commandments to "enter into life". Jesus commanded to sell all to enter the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is the same as the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom is the earthly Davidic kingdom on earth in which believing Israel will reign with Christ for a thousand years.

[Matthew 5:20 KJV] 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

To enter the kingdom believing Israel had to be righteous by keeping the law and sell all.

Do not be fooled by verses you do not understand ,you have to follow the ten commandments! Jesus was very clear on this. you know since you quoted them yourself. Jesus was given all authority in heaven and on earth so when he says something you better believe it! and you better believe also he did not change his mind, GOD does not change!

 

[Doug]

Do not be fooled by verses you do not understand ,you have to follow the ten commandments! Jesus was very clear on this. you know since you quoted them yourself. Jesus was given all authority in heaven and on earth so when he says something you better believe it! and you better believe also he did not change his mind, GOD does not change!

The 10 commandments were not the whole law. You will have to keep all the law. You would be committing the same error as Israel in thinking righteousness came by the law...........[Rom 9:31-32 KJV] 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

 

[LoveYeshua]

The 10 commandments were not the whole law. You will have to keep all the law. You would be committing the same error as Israel in thinking righteousness came by the law...........[Rom 9:31-32 KJV] 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Jesus said to keep the commandments not the rest of the law of Moses.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

what you described are not the commandments but are the rest of the laws that Moses added for the israelites in those days. Many of these laws of Moses cannot be followed today. The Commandments normally are always the ten commandments also called the Covenant by GOD himself in several places in the O.T.

Even the commandments are not what we are called to try and live. Keeping of the sabbath, for example, that has gone by the wayside because of its having been replaced by that which is superior. I don't need ordinances to keep me from abstaining from what Holy Spirit guides from within and what I read in the Bible. Studying the Law and commandments is good, but they are no long a curse unto we who are in Yahshuah.

BTW

 

[BeforeThereWas]

This is absurd, if no one could live on the commandments God would not have given them. It is not an easy path but the only one that leads to salvation. First repentance from faith and belief, then obedience out of love to our God. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15). “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”(Luke 6:46).

God defined the covenant when He explained the covenant are the Ten Commandments; “So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.”(Deuteronomy 4:13). They are inside the Ark of the Covenant; “There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel.” (1 Kings 8:9).

The commandments are not optional but a true follower of Christ will obey them. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” (John 14:21). Furthermore, they are not a burden, for “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3).

If we ask God to help us follow the commandments, He will certainly listen and help us to do so. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7). It is all over the Bible—wake up. before it is too late, Jesus return is at hand.

Really? Well, you can go ahead and try to live the commandments, but given that you too sin on a daily basis, none of that commandment-keeping will add to nor retain yours salvation from being lost. The absurdity is in those out there who think that they must retain their salvation through works of obedience to the commandments and self-efforts to try and abstain from sin.

BTW

 

[LoveYeshua]

Really? Well, you can go ahead and try to live the commandments, but given that you too sin on a daily basis, none of that commandment-keeping will add to nor retain yours salvation from being lost. The absurdity is in those out there who think that they must retain their salvation through works of obedience to the commandments and self-efforts to try and abstain from sin.

BTW

Even the commandments are not what we are called to try and live. Keeping of the sabbath, for example, that has gone by the wayside because of its having been replaced by that which is superior. I don't need ordinances to keep me from abstaining from what Holy Spirit guides from within and what I read in the Bible. Studying the Law and commandments is good, but they are no long a curse unto we who are in Yahshuah.

BTW

The belief that many Christians cannot or should not follow the commandments of God comes mostly from a misunderstanding of certain writings, especially Paul’s letters, and from teachings passed down in churches that emphasize “faith alone” in a way that separates it from obedience. Yet Jesus never said the commandments were impossible to keep. In fact, He said the opposite. He taught that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). He also warned that those who break even the least of God’s commandments and teach others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19). He even told the rich young ruler that to enter life he must keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17).

The disciples also followed this same teaching. John wrote clearly: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3–4). The idea that commandments cannot or should not be kept comes from later church teachings that leaned heavily on Paul’s letters—sometimes twisting them (2 Peter 3:16 says many do this to their own destruction). Because Paul spoke about the “law of Moses” in contrast to faith in Christ, many took this to mean that no commandments matter anymore. But Jesus Himself made clear that God’s commandments remain the standard of love, obedience, and righteousness. The fact that many Christians think they cannot follow God’s commandments is not from Jesus or His apostles, but from later teachings that misread Paul, and from traditions that teach grace as a license to ignore obedience instead of grace as the power to obey.

To see this more clearly, we can go step by step through what Jesus actually said. First, Jesus declared plainly that He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them, and that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law until all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:17–18). This shows that God’s commandments are still in place. Second, Jesus said that whoever breaks the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be least in the kingdom, but whoever does and teaches them will be great (Matthew 5:19). This means obedience is not optional but the very measure of faithfulness. Third, Jesus taught that love is the foundation of all the commandments. When asked about the greatest commandment, He answered that we must love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–40). All the other commandments rest on this, showing that obedience is not about empty rules but about true love. Fourth, He gave a direct promise: “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). He never suggested this was impossible, but rather pointed to it as the way of life.

Jesus also explained that keeping His commandments is tied directly to abiding in Him. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). He kept the commandments Himself and calls us to follow His example. He even warned that those who call Him “Lord” but do not do the will of the Father will be rejected (Matthew 7:21–23). This shows clearly that faith without obedience is empty.

The apostles confirmed this. John made it very clear that anyone who claims to know God but does not keep His commandments is lying (1 John 2:3–4). He also said that the love of God is shown in keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:2–3). This proves that God never gave us something impossible, but something that can be done by those who walk in His Spirit. Peter also warned that some twist Paul’s writings to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). This explains why so many later teachings go against Jesus’ own words. They confuse Paul’s contrast of “the law of Moses” with faith in Christ and then wrongly claim this cancels all obedience. But Jesus and His true disciples never taught this.

So the truth is simple. The commandments of God are not too hard, they are not abolished, and they are not impossible. They are the way of love and life. Jesus kept them, taught them, and commanded His followers to do the same. The disciples after Him confirmed it and warned against anyone who teaches otherwise. The belief that Christians cannot follow God’s commandments does not come from the mouth of Jesus but from false teachings that twist the Scriptures. God gave His commandments to be kept, and His grace is the power that helps us walk in them faithfully.

 

[LoveYeshua]

The 10 commandments were not the whole law. You will have to keep all the law. You would be committing the same error as Israel in thinking righteousness came by the law...........[Rom 9:31-32 KJV] 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Go read post 47 if you want the truth from scripture and to know what Jesus said about the commandments.

 

[LoveYeshua]

Nope. The New Covenant is not yet in effect. Stick with the Gospel of Grace given to Paul for all of us today in this dispensation of grace.

BTW

Jesus started it and his people, true followers are under it. Jesus described a growing kingdom starts small like a mustard seed, still growing but the full application of the new covenant is yet to come.

 

[bro.tan]

Throughout the bible we find that in order to receive eternal salvation we must keep God's commandments to the end. If we make a mistake we must not give up, but I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). The last chapter in the whole bible reminds us of this one last time. "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life." (Revelation 22:14). After this we find only seven more verses in the bible, and none of them does away with God's commandments.

The commandments of God are not hard to keep (I John 5:3) and furthermore, they teach us love in the highest degree. If you love Jesus you will keep his commandments (St. John 14:15). You will not displease the Lord by: Worshipping other gods, having graven images, taking his name in vain, adhere to God's dietary laws in Lev.11ch, breaking his Sabbath day (which is Saturday not Sunday), or dishonoring your parents. On the other hand, if you love your neighbor as yourself you will not kill him, commit adultery with his spouse, steal from him, falsely accuse him, or covet anything of his. Stop committing fornication.

This is true love, and if obeyed how much better would our world be? This is why Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind; and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:35-40). These two commandments are the foundation of the entire law. Many reject the law, but it is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Romans 7:12) even today.

 

[LoveYeshua]

The 10 commandments were not the whole law. You will have to keep all the law. You would be committing the same error as Israel in thinking righteousness came by the law...........[Rom 9:31-32 KJV] 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

The Ten Commandments are not the same as the whole law of Moses. Israel failed because they sought righteousness by their own works, not by faith in God. But Jesus never set aside the commandments of God. He said, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17) and “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). True righteousness is not found in man’s effort, but in faith that leads to obedience. Faith and keeping God’s commandments go together, not against each other.

 

[Doug]

Jesus said to keep the commandments not the rest of the law of Mose

Jesus said otherwise.......................[Mat 5:18-19 KJV] 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 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................Jesus said to keep all the law

Jesus confirmed that the 10 commandments were the law..........................[Mat 22:36-37 KJV] 36 Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Jesus called the 10 commandments the law.................[Luk 10:26-27 KJV] 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Even if as you say Jesus said to just keep the 10 commandments, look at this verse..............[Mar 10:19-21 KJV] 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.........................even if you keep all the commandments you have to sell all you have

 

[LoveYeshua]

Jesus said otherwise.......................[Mat 5:18-19 KJV] 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 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................Jesus said to keep all the law

Jesus confirmed that the 10 commandments were the law..........................[Mat 22:36-37 KJV] 36 Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Jesus called the 10 commandments the law.................[Luk 10:26-27 KJV] 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Even if as you say Jesus said to just keep the 10 commandments, look at this verse..............[Mar 10:19-21 KJV] 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.........................even if you keep all the commandments you have to sell all you have

Jesus did not tell us to keep the whole Law of Moses. He made a clear difference between the commandments of God and the ordinances of Moses. In Matthew 5:18–19 He said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Many like you, use this to say the whole law must still be kept, but Jesus explained later who fulfilled it. After His resurrection He said in Luke 24:44, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” This shows that the ceremonies, sacrifices, and rituals of Moses were pointing to Him and came to their end in Him, but the commandments of God remain because sin is still sin.

When Jesus was asked directly which commandment was the greatest, He did not point to the whole system of Moses but to the commandments of God. In Matthew 22:36–40 we read, “‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” These two sayings are not new laws but the summary of the Ten Commandments. The first four teach us how to love God, and the last six teach us how to love our neighbor. In Luke 10:26–27 Jesus answered in the same way when asked what is written in the law: “‘What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?’ So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’” Here again Jesus confirmed that the true law of God is love, and this is expressed through the Ten Commandments, not through the whole system of Moses.

When the rich young ruler came to Him in Mark 10:19–21, Jesus said, “‘You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’” Here Jesus again pointed to the commandments, not the whole law. The man claimed he kept them, but Jesus showed that obedience is not only about outward actions. His wealth was his idol, and that was keeping him from truly loving God above all. So the call to sell everything was not a universal new commandment for all believers, but a lesson for that man to show that real obedience goes deeper into the heart.

From all these verses we see that Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses, but the Ten Commandments remain God’s eternal standard. Love for God and love for neighbor sum up these commandments. Outward obedience is not enough; the heart must be pure and free from idols. This is why Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” He never said, “keep all the law of Moses.”

 

[Doug]

Jesus did not tell us to keep the whole Law of Moses. He made a clear difference between the commandments of God and the ordinances of Moses. In Matthew 5:18–19 He said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Many like you, use this to say the whole law must still be kept, but Jesus explained later who fulfilled it. After His resurrection He said in Luke 24:44, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” This shows that the ceremonies, sacrifices, and rituals of Moses were pointing to Him and came to their end in Him, but the commandments of God remain because sin is still sin.

When Jesus was asked directly which commandment was the greatest, He did not point to the whole system of Moses but to the commandments of God. In Matthew 22:36–40 we read, “‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” These two sayings are not new laws but the summary of the Ten Commandments. The first four teach us how to love God, and the last six teach us how to love our neighbor. In Luke 10:26–27 Jesus answered in the same way when asked what is written in the law: “‘What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?’ So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’” Here again Jesus confirmed that the true law of God is love, and this is expressed through the Ten Commandments, not through the whole system of Moses.

When the rich young ruler came to Him in Mark 10:19–21, Jesus said, “‘You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’” Here Jesus again pointed to the commandments, not the whole law. The man claimed he kept them, but Jesus showed that obedience is not only about outward actions. His wealth was his idol, and that was keeping him from truly loving God above all. So the call to sell everything was not a universal new commandment for all believers, but a lesson for that man to show that real obedience goes deeper into the heart.

From all these verses we see that Jesus fulfilled the law of Moses, but the Ten Commandments remain God’s eternal standard. Love for God and love for neighbor sum up these commandments. Outward obedience is not enough; the heart must be pure and free from idols. This is why Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” He never said, “keep all the law of Moses.”

Just to be clear what Jesus revealed to Paul includes commandments from Jesus that reflect all the ten commandments except keeping the sabbath
Here is my post on this

PAUL UPHELD THE TEN COMMANDMENTS​

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Jesus started it and his people, true followers are under it. Jesus described a growing kingdom starts small like a mustard seed, still growing but the full application of the new covenant is yet to come.

The mustard seed had nothing to do with any kingdom. That was about individual faith. Context is king.

BTW

 

[BeforeThereWas]

The belief that many Christians cannot or should not follow the commandments of God comes mostly from a misunderstanding of certain writings, especially Paul’s letters, and from teachings passed down in churches that emphasize “faith alone” in a way that separates it from obedience. Yet Jesus never said the commandments were impossible to keep. In fact, He said the opposite. He taught that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). He also warned that those who break even the least of God’s commandments and teach others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19). He even told the rich young ruler that to enter life he must keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17).

The disciples also followed this same teaching. John wrote clearly: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3–4). The idea that commandments cannot or should not be kept comes from later church teachings that leaned heavily on Paul’s letters—sometimes twisting them (2 Peter 3:16 says many do this to their own destruction). Because Paul spoke about the “law of Moses” in contrast to faith in Christ, many took this to mean that no commandments matter anymore. But Jesus Himself made clear that God’s commandments remain the standard of love, obedience, and righteousness. The fact that many Christians think they cannot follow God’s commandments is not from Jesus or His apostles, but from later teachings that misread Paul, and from traditions that teach grace as a license to ignore obedience instead of grace as the power to obey.

To see this more clearly, we can go step by step through what Jesus actually said. First, Jesus declared plainly that He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them, and that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law until all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:17–18). This shows that God’s commandments are still in place. Second, Jesus said that whoever breaks the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be least in the kingdom, but whoever does and teaches them will be great (Matthew 5:19). This means obedience is not optional but the very measure of faithfulness. Third, Jesus taught that love is the foundation of all the commandments. When asked about the greatest commandment, He answered that we must love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–40). All the other commandments rest on this, showing that obedience is not about empty rules but about true love. Fourth, He gave a direct promise: “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). He never suggested this was impossible, but rather pointed to it as the way of life.

Jesus also explained that keeping His commandments is tied directly to abiding in Him. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). He kept the commandments Himself and calls us to follow His example. He even warned that those who call Him “Lord” but do not do the will of the Father will be rejected (Matthew 7:21–23). This shows clearly that faith without obedience is empty.

The apostles confirmed this. John made it very clear that anyone who claims to know God but does not keep His commandments is lying (1 John 2:3–4). He also said that the love of God is shown in keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:2–3). This proves that God never gave us something impossible, but something that can be done by those who walk in His Spirit. Peter also warned that some twist Paul’s writings to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). This explains why so many later teachings go against Jesus’ own words. They confuse Paul’s contrast of “the law of Moses” with faith in Christ and then wrongly claim this cancels all obedience. But Jesus and His true disciples never taught this.

So the truth is simple. The commandments of God are not too hard, they are not abolished, and they are not impossible. They are the way of love and life. Jesus kept them, taught them, and commanded His followers to do the same. The disciples after Him confirmed it and warned against anyone who teaches otherwise. The belief that Christians cannot follow God’s commandments does not come from the mouth of Jesus but from false teachings that twist the Scriptures. God gave His commandments to be kept, and His grace is the power that helps us walk in them faithfully.

Faith alone teaches that following the commandments does not save anyone, and never will. Faith alone teaches the study of the commandments as a good thing, yes, and obedience to those things that pertain to universal and absolute morality is also good and right, the violation of which is building with hay, wood and stubble, which will burn ones rewards rather than add to them.

Legalists, on the other hand, teach obedience as the means TO salvation, while others teach that obedience to the commandments RETAINS salvation. Both positions are works-based salvation, neither of which saves anyone.

BTW

 

[LoveYeshua]

The mustard seed had nothing to do with any kingdom. That was about individual faith. Context is king.

BTW

Here is some context for you;

Mat 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Mat 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

 

[LoveYeshua]

Faith alone teaches that following the commandments does not save anyone, and never will.

true

Faith alone teaches the study of the commandments as a good thing, yes, and obedience to those things

what are those "things"?

that pertain to universal and absolute morality is also good and right, the violation of which is building with hay, wood and stubble, which will burn ones rewards rather than add to them.

Legalists, on the other hand, teach obedience as the means TO salvation, while others teach that obedience to the commandments RETAINS salvation. Both positions are works-based salvation, neither of which saves anyone.

you are right legalists like the pharisees did teach this, to follow blindly. We follow the commandments for the main reason that you Love God and your neighbour and want to do GOD's will not for any other reason. this is what Jesus teached.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Here is some context for you;

Mat 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Mat 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Since you gave no quote as to the context you were referring, it seemed as though you were forcing the kingdom concept into Jesus' statement about faith as of the size of a mustard seed.

BTW

 

[BeforeThereWas]

true

what are those "things"?

you are right legalists like the pharisees did teach this, to follow blindly. We follow the commandments for the main reason that you Love God and your neighbour and want to do GOD's will not for any other reason. this is what Jesus teached.

Jesus also taught water baptism as a requirement and to offer up a sacrifice in accordance to the Mosaic Law, none of which applies to us today, as you likely may know.

BTW