Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament epistle written by the apostles Paul unto the saints which were at Rome. More specifically today’s passage is found in the fourteenth chapter of this New Testament book. “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not;a nd let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for oGod hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: For God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living” (Romans 14:1-9).

 

            “iBut why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkedst thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these thing serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he allowed. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:10-23).

 

            When you come to the final chapters of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome you will find the apostle concluding with practical instruction and exhortation of these dear saints. Having spent the first eight chapters describing their relationship unto the living God the apostle Paul now turns and directs his attention to their relationship with those whom they interact with on a consistent and daily basis. In all reality I would dare say that if you want to truly understand this particular section of the epistle written by the apostle you must needs recognize that it follows the pattern of the Ten Commandments. If you turn and direct your attention to the Ten Commandments or “The Decalogue” as it is found in the Old Testament book of Exodus you will find that the Ten Commandments follow a specific pattern that was ordained and appointed by the living God. If you take the time to read and study these commandments you will notice that the first four commandments deal exclusively.with man’s relationship with and toward God. The fifth commandment is such that could also be described as touching one’s relationship to and with the living God, however, the fifth commandment speaks to the sabbath and the command of God to honor the sabbath day and to give it entirely to rest for He Himself rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth and all that is contained therein during the first six days. Commandments six through ten are entirely and altogether different for these commandments touch man’s relationship with and toward man—something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of.

 

            I am absolutely convinced that if you want to truly understand the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome there is a great need to recognize and pay attention to how the Ten Commandments are structured—and not only how the Ten Commandments are structured but also in how they are summarized in the New Testament. It isn’t enough for the Ten Commandments to be structured in such a way that they deal with man’s relationship to and with God as well as man’s relationship to and with others but the commandments were referenced in the four gospels—particularly when Jesus would find Himself being approached by the scribes, the Pharisees, the chief priests, the teachers of the Law, the lawyers and the like during the days in which He walked among us. During the days in which Jesus walked among us on the face of the earth this reality of the commandments being summarized into two commandments helps further illustrate the tremendous reality that if you want to truly understand the Ten Commandments—and not only the Ten Commandments but the entirety of the Law itself—you must needs recognize and understand it in terms of touching man’s relationship with God and man’s relationship with others. Not only this but if you turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy you will find Moses giving unto the children of Israel what would be considered the greatest commandment—the greatest commandment which would be passed down throughout the generations and would even be referred to as the greatest commandment by Jesus Himself during those three and a half years He walked among us on the earth as the Word made flesh.

 

            It is with this in mind I Invite you to consider the following words which are found in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy as well as the words which are found in the twentieth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus. It is in the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy we find that which was referred to and that which is known as the greatest commandment from the time of Moses all the way through and up to the time of Jesus. In the twentieth  chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus you will find the giving of the Law and the Ten Commandments which was the first portion of the Law given unto the children of Israel. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words and passages which are found in these two Old Testament passages of Scripture beginning with the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy:

 

            “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of that fathers hath promised thee, in the land that followeth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkedst by the way, and when thou l jest down, and when thou rises up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deuteronomy 6:1-9).

 

            “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. HOnour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet they neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s” (Exodus 20:1-17).

 

            It is absolutely necessary we recognize and understand this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for the single greatest commandment given by the LORD God unto Moses and the children of Israel was centered around the idenity of God, our relationship to God and that of love. If you turn and direct your attention to the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy you will find Moses declaring unto the children of Israel that the LORD God was one LORD. What’s more is that not only did Moses emphatically declare that the LORD their God was one LORD but He would also instruct and command them to love the LORD their God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their might. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for it brings us face to face with the fact that in order for us to truly love the LORD our God we must recognize one thing and one thing only—namely that He is the LORD. It was the apostle Paul who emphatically declared unto the saints which were at Rome that if they confessed with their mouth “the Lord” Jesus and believed with their heart that God raised Him from the dead they would be saved. The apostle Paul spoke unto the saints which were at Rome concerning the confession of Jesus as Lord while in the Old Testament Moses declared unto and spoke of the LORD as being one LORD. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for in order for our lives to truly function the way they were intended to there is a great need for us to recognize the Lordship of the living God and love with our whole being. It is only to the degree and measure that we recognize and understand the LORDSHIP of the eternal and living God we are indeed able to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might.

 

            The more I think about and consider this the more I am convinced that the foundation for the first four commandments given by the living God unto the children of Israel was in this commandment to love the LORD their God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their strength. Pause for a moment and think about it for you cannot truly love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your strength and with all our soul if you don’t first confess Him as LORD. There is this intrinsic and powerful connection between recognizing and confessing the living God as LORD and then from that confession and understanding loving Him with your whole being. The first four commandments found in the Ten Commandments deal exclusively and specifically with man’s relationship to and with the living God and at the very heart and foundation of that is not only recognizing that the living and eternal God is LORD but also confessing that with one’s mouth. What’s more is that you cannot truly honor and love the LORD your God without acknowledging that He is indeed LORD—and not only LORD but LORD within your life and LORD over your life. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the truly wonderful and powerful reality of how Lordship and love go hand in hand and are in fact intrinsically linked and connected to each other.

 

            As you continue reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find that the single greatest commandment was indeed to acknowledge that the LORD GOD was one LORD—and not only that the LORD our God was one LORD but also to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength. When we truly acknowledge and understand that the LORD our God is one LORD we can then come face to face with the absolutely wonderful reality of being able to love Him fully and completely with our whole beings. I am absolutely convinced that you cannot truly love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength without and apart from recognizing and acknowledging that He is indeed LORD. What’s more is that when you read the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul you can and will encounter the tremendous truth that salvation has its foundation in confessing the Lord Jesus—and not only confessing the Lord Jesus but also believing with our heart that God raised Him from the dead. This is something which must needs be recognized and acknowledged within our hearts and our minds as we navigate through the generation, the culture and society in which we find ourselves during these days. I am absolutely convinced that we as the saints of the living and eternal God must needs acknowledge and understand that we have indeed been called to live our lives with and from the foundation of Jesus as Lord—and not only Jesus as Lord but also with the acknowledgement and confession that the LORD our God is one LORD. It is this concept of the LORD our God being one LORD that sets Him far above absolutely every other god that is present within and manifested in our culture and society. This is something which must needs be recognized and acknowledged within our hearts and minds as we have to come face to face with the truth that the LORD our God is indeed one LORD.

 

            If I am being honest with you who might be reading these words I would dare say that you cannot truly love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your strength and with all your soul if you aren’t first willing to confess Him as LORD. There is no way to love Jesus without recognizing and acknowledging that He is indeed Lord within your life—something which many men and women fail to recognize and consider within their lives. I am sitting here today thinking about the words which are found in the twentieth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus and I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth that at the very heart of them is our relationship to the living God and our relationship to others. In all reality I would dare say that not only is our relationship to and with the living God directly impacted by our recognizing of confessions of Him as LORD but also our living with this understanding in our lives. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something truly unique and powerful about this particular truth within our hearts and lives. There is a great need for us as the saints of God and as the disciples of Christ to recognize and pay attention to the fact that we must needs live our lives knowing, believing and confessing that both Jesus is Lord and that the living and eternal God is one LORD. It is not enough to merely confess and believe that the LORD our God is LORD but it is also declared that He is one LORD thus bringing us face to face with the fact that there is no division in Him. The LORD our God is indeed one LORD and we must needs love Him with our whole being without any division in ourselves—no division between our hearts, between our souls, and with our strength. Those who love the LORD God must needs love Him with their whole beings and just as He is One so also can there be no division within ourselves as we love Him with everything that is found within us and within our beings.

 

            Upon turning and directing your attention to the words which are found in the twentieth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus you will find God speaking the following words unto the children of Israel. The LORD God would begin with the declaration that He was the LORD their God which had brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. What’s more is that the Ten Commandments would indeed begin with the LORD their God commanding them that they should have no other gods before Him. Not only this but the living and eternal God would also declare unto them that they should not make unto them any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. The living and eternal God declared that they should not bow themselves down unto them nor serve them for he the LORD their God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Him and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Him and keep His commandments. The living and eternal God would also command them that they should not take the name of the LORD their God in vain for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that take his name in vain. These words are something which we must needs recognize when considering the words which are found in the first chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome. It is in the first chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul we find him seemingly echoing the truth that is found within the first four commandments located within the Ten Commandments. The first four commandments deal with our having no other gods before the LORD our God, with our not making unto Him any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth, with our not bowing down and serving them, with our not taking the name of the LORD our God in vain. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome beginning with the eighteenth verse:

 

            “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:18-25).

 

            Please pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for they bring us face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding how these words deal exclusively and specifically with man’s relationship to and with the eternal and living God. The apostle Paul emphatically declared that the wrath of God was revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who held the truth in unrighteousness. The apostle Paul would go on to declare how that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God has showed it unto men. Moreover the apostle Paul would also go on to declare that the invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead so that men is without excuse. The apostle Paul would go on to declare how when man knew God they glorified Him not as God neither were thankful but because vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was dark ended. These would profess themselves to be wise but became fools instead. It is when you continue reading these words the apostle Paul would go on to write and declare how they would take this a step further for they would change the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. OH this is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of the living and eternal God and our need to be those who truly do worship Him according to who He is and not who we think He or nor even how we would like Him to be nor even as we understand Him to be.

 

            The Ten Commandments are incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about and consider them for at the very heart of them are two commandments which would indeed be recognized and understood in the New Testament during the days of Jesus. It would be during the days of the New Testament and during the days of Jesus, the disciples, the scribes, the Pharisees and the like that there were essentially two commandments that were far above and far exceeded all others. Jesus, the disciples and the religious community and system during those days recognized and understood that at the very heart of their culture and society was quite simply—Love their LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for the first commandments found within the Ten Commandments deal exclusively and specifically with our relationship to and with the living God. The first commandments found within the Ten Commandments deal with the understanding that the LORD is our God who brought us out of Egypt and out of the house of bondage. It is based on this understanding of who the LORD our God is that we understand that we ought not, we cannot and should not have any other gods before Him. With this understanding we should not make unto Him any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. We as those who recognize and understand that the LORD our God is one LORD must be those who do not bow ourselves down unto them nor serve them—something which the three Hebrews in the land of the Chaldeans understood very well. Hananiah, Mishael and Aazariah refused to compromise themselves along the lines of what was written in the Law of Moses and refused to bow down and serve the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar had in fact made—despite the fact that refusing to do so could result in their being cast alive into the furnace of fire:

 

            “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, int eh province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counseller, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the decimation of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counseller, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herbal cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O People, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the langue’s, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up” (Daniel 3:1-7).

 

            “Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image: and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain. Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:8-12).

 

            “Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abved-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it tru,e O Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to  answer thee in this matter. IF it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:13-18).

 

            “Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hoses, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-one go. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:19-23).

 

            “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was stoned, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counseller, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains and the king’s counseller, being gathered together saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any God, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dung hill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3:24-30).

 

            I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and understand this narrative which is found in the third chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel for within it we encounter three Hebrews who knew and were very much aware of the decree which the king had issued—and not only the decree which the king had issued but also the penalty and punishment for refusing to obey the decree which the king had made. These three Hebrews refused to bow down, worship and serve the golden image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon knowing that it could result in their being cast alive into the fiery furnace. These three Hebrews refused to bow down, worship and serve this golden image and were willing to yield their bodies to the flames rather than compromise their worship of the one true and living God. Undoubtedly these three Hebrews remembered and understood the commandments which the living God had spoken through Moses concerning their having no other gods before Him, concerning their not making unto them any graven image and to not bow themselves down and serve them. Undoubtedly these three Hebrews were aware of the command to love the LORD their God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their strength and as a direct result of this they would refuse to bow down, worship and serve the image which the king of Babylon had set up. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for when we think of the first commandments we must needs recognize that at the very heart and center of them is the understanding and acknowledgment that the LORD our God was one LORD and that we must needs love Him with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength.

 

            If you continue reading the words which are found in the twentieth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus you can and will find the second portion of the commandments deal not with man’s relationship to God but man’s relationship to man. Immediately after instructing and commandment them to honor and respect the Sabbath day the LORD their God transitions to commandments that deal exclusively and specifically with their relationship to and with those whom they lived in community—both there in the wilderness as well as when they entered into the land which was promised unto their forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moving further into this passage of Scripture you can and will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding their relationship with others for the LORD their God would instruct them to honor their father and their mother that their days may be long upon the land which the LORD their God gave them. Moreover the LORD their God commandment them not to kill, not to commit adultery, not to steal, not to bear false witness against their neighbor and not to covet—not to covet their neighbor’s house, their neighbor’s wife, nor their neighbor’s manservant, nor their maidservant, nor their ox, nor their ass, nor any thing that is their neighbor’s. These commandments make it absolutely clear that we must needs guard carefully our relationship with those around us beginning within the home and with our relationship to and with our parents. The commands which the living and eternal God commanded concerning their relationship to and with others He would first begin in the home and declare that they must needs honor their father and mother. This is something which must needs be recognized and understood by us as the saints of the living God for we must needs recognize that everything begins within the home and the relationship we have to and with our parents, as well as the relationship we have with our brother(s), with our sister(s), with our husbands, with our wives, with our children and the like.

 

            I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found within these verses and I am brought face to face with how Jesus and those who were present during His generation understood the Ten Commandments—and not only how they understood the Ten Commandments but also how they understood the commandments which were at the very heart and center of their culture and society. Jesus, the disciples, the chief priests, the scribes, the elders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the elders and the Jews themselves recognized and understood that the single greatest commandment was to love the LORD their God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength. Moreover they also recognized and understood that the second commandment was likened unto the first for as they were commanded to love the LORD their God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their strength they were to love their neighbor as themselves. This is something which we must needs recognize for when we read the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome we find the first eight chapters dealing exclusively with our relationship with the living God while chapters twelve through sixteen deal with our relationship with others. OH it is with this being said I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the four gospel narratives concerning Jesus’ speaking unto those during His generation concerning the first and second commandment which was at the very heart and center of their culture and society:

 

            “But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? 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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:34-41).

 

            “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is Hear, O Israel, The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other blue he: and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:28-34).

 

            IT’s important to recognize and understand that this commandment to love one’s neighbor as themselves is indeed found in the Old Testament book of Leviticus for within the Law itself is the command which was given to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for even when you come to the second half of the epistle written by the apostle you will find him appealing to the second of the greatest commandment which was indeed to love one’s neighbor as themselves. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that the second commandment was likened unto the first—namely that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We were instructed to love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength for the LORD our God is one LORD. With this being said we must needs acknowledge that we have indeed and have in fact been called to be those who recognize that the whole Law is summarized in the greatest commandment which is to love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength while we are also to love our neighbor as ourselves. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the nineteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Leviticus beginning with the ninth verse of the chapter:

 

            “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy hearest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the waves of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale bearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of that neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:9-18).

 

            Consider if you will the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narratives concerning the rich young ruler who came into the presence of the Lord Jesus bowing down before Him asking Him a very pointed and specific question—namely, What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life. This encounter and interaction is one which warrants strong consideration within our hearts and minds during this study for it draws and calls our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the need for us as the saints of God to truly and indeed love our neighbor as ourselves. WE know that we have been commanded, invited and instructed to love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul and with all our strength but we have also been instructed to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the four New Testament gospels beginning with the nineteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew:

 

            “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 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. 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, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things hav eI kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?  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. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:  for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:16-22).

 

            “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? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. 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. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 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. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:17-22).

 

            “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich” (Luke 18:18-22).

 

            There is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the following words which are found in the thirteenth chapter of the New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome for the apostle would indeed demonstrate that which strikes at the very heart of this final section of the epistle. It is absolutely unmistakable when reading the final portion of the epistle written unto the Roman saints that it is not centered upon man’s relationship to and man’s relationship with others. IN fact it is in the thirteenth chapter of this epistle we are indeed brought face to face with the apostle’s understanding of the second commandment and its need and place within the heart and life of that one who would walk as a saint of God and disciple of Jesus in the midst of the earth. Beginning with the twelfth chapter the apostle Paul beseeches the saints of God to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable unto the Lord their God which was their reasonable service. The apostle then goes on to write and speak about proving what is that good and acceptable will of the living and eternal God in the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of when reading the words found in this epistle for the words which we find here calls and draws our attention to the need we have to carefully examine the relationship we have with those around us—both our enemies as well as our neighbors. This is precisely what is found at the very heart of the gospel and the words which Jesus declared unto His disciples and those who would come unto Him for He would declare that we must not only love our neighbor but we must also love our enemy. If you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you can and will encounter both realities for we are not only to love our neighbor but we are also to love our enemy. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for we must needs recognize the need to never draw a distinction nor a dividing line between loving our neighbor and loving our enemy for we have indeed been commanded to do both. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew concerning the need to love our enemy—and not only to love our enemy but also how we are to treat and response to those who persecute, despitefully entreat us and the like:

 

            “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and a persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

 

            “Ye have heard that it hath been said, AN eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:38-48).

 

            There is a great need fo runs to recognize and understand the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for within them Jesus instructs and invites us to rejoice and be exceedingly glad when we are reviled, when we are persecuted and when men shall say all manner of evil against us falsely for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus. Jesus declared that those who were persecuted for righteousness’ sake are blessed for theirs was the kingdom of heaven. Jesus also declared that those who are reviled, persecuted and who have all manner of evil spoken against them falsely are blessed because their reward is great in heaven. Jesus would go on to further declare that we were not to resist the evil and that whosoever smites us on the right cheek we are to turn to them the other also. Moreover Jesus would go on to declare that whosoever would compel us to go a mile we were to go with him twain. Jesus instructed us to give to those that ask of us and from him that would borrow us we are not to turn away. Not only this but Jesus would also go on to declare that we had heard that it was said that we were to love our neighbor and hate our enemy, however, He would flip the script and declare that we were to love our enemies, that we were to bless those that curse us, that we were to do good to those that hate us and pray for those which despitefully use us and persecute us. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for Jesus would also ask what reward we have in heaven if we love those which love us and what reward we have if we salute our brethren only. Jesus clearly and emphatically declared that we were indeed to be those who welcomed, embraced and even rejoiced suffering, affliction and persecution knowing that our reward is great in heaven.

 

            With this being said, however, we must needs recognize that we don’t rejoice in persecutions, in suffering, in afflictions in being reviled, being mistreated, being despitefully used because we are looking for some reward in heaven. We are indeed to rejoice because we are the children of the living God and are demonstrating our desire and willingness to be holy even as He is holy. This is why the words which are found in the opening verses of the twelfth chapter of the epistle written unto the Roman saints is so important for the apostle Paul would admonish them to present their bodies as living sacrifices “HOLY and acceptable” unto the living God which was their reasonable service. Those who love their neighbors as themselves are indeed fulfilling the second commandment, however, Jesus invited us to love greater than what we have taught and even greater than what we are comfortable with. Jesus invited us into a place where we could turn the other cheek when we have been struck and smitten on the one and to agree to walk a second mile with those who have asked us to walk with them one mile. Jesus instructed us to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who persecute us, to do good to those who would wrong us and to love our enemies. The apostle Paul admonished the saints and followers of Jesus which were at Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices for it is only to the degree and measure they did so they would be able to fulfill the Law which was given unto the children of Israel. The apostle Paul admonished them to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable unto the Lord which was their reasonable service and would then immediately shift gears on what that would indeed look like. Virtually everything the apostle Paul writes in the second portion of the epistle written unto the Romans deals exclusively with the need for men and women to fulfill the royal law which is indeed to love our neighbor as ourselves. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the thirteenth chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome as well as the words which are found in the second chapter of the epistle written by James:

 

            “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wanton ness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:8-14).

 

            “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? IF ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not. Kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (James 2:1-13).

 

            This is important for us to recognize for James does the very same thing the apostle Paul did in the thirteenth chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome. The apostle Paul declares that love is the fulfilling of the law which means that loving our neighbor is indeed the fulfilling of the law. What’s more is that not only is loving our neighbors the fulfilling of the law but so also is loving our enemies the fulfilling of the law. This is precisely what James wrote in the epistle sent unto the saints which were scattered and part of the diaspora for James would write concerning the fulfilling of the royal law which was centered in loving the LORD our God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. What we must needs understand is that when you read the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome you find him first writing unto them concerning their relationship to and with the living God and how they were justified by faith through the free gift that is found in the person of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul sought to demonstrate unto them the struggle that exists within themselves—the struggle that exists between the flesh and the Spirit. This the apostle did because he desired that they recognize this struggle and devote themselves to doing everything they can to crucify their flesh and mortify the deeds of unrighteousness and wickedness. The apostle Paul desired the saints which were at Rome to recognize and understand their place in Christ and then from the understanding of their place in Christ they would then recognize and understand their place within culture and society. The apostle Paul would indeed instruct them on how to live peaceably with both their neighbors and their enemies, as well as in relation to government and those who were in positions of leadership within the nation. I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and pay close attention to this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding how we are in fact called to be those who love our neighbors, love our enemies, submit to those who have been placed in positions over us and abstain from being such who live in judgment toward and against others.

 

            It is with this in mind I leave you with the following words which are found in the twelfth chapter of this epistle written by the apostle unto the saints which were at Rome as well as the words which are written in the fourteenth chapter of this epistle. I leave you with these words as a guideline and path for which to follow that you might indeed know how to live in a manner that pleases the living God in a culture and society that is set against the living and eternal God and one that has completely shut Him out and removed Him from their psyche and conscience. Consider if you will the following words and ask yourself if you are indeed living in such a manner that please, honors and glorifies the living God:

 

            “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescended to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21).

 

            “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is eat, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yeah, he shall be Holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: and other esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:1-5).

 

            “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living” (Romans 14:7-9).