Do not bear false witness
Exodus 20 gives the commandment not to bear false witness, but the details of this command are given in Exodus 23:1-3
"You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. 3 "You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.
Most people understand that this commandment warns us not to give a false testimony against another, but there is much more to this commandment than testifying against another person. This passage speaks against gossip, leading people to believe a lie, following a crowd to do evil, following the culture who perverts justice and even showing partiality against someone. Let’s break these down into our common lives to see how this commandment applies to the New Testament Christian walk.
Unrighteous Witness
“You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”
I once heard an illustration that compared our words to a tube of toothpaste. It is easy to get the toothpaste out of the tube, but impossible to get it back in. Once we launch our words, if they are destructive, the damage is done. Even if you apologize, the wounded trust does not heal. We can do many things to people that can be rectified, but tale bearing (or gossip) creates wounds that can last a lifetime. Violated trust is very difficult to regain if it is even possible to fully regain. The Bible says that an offended brother is harder to be won than a city (Proverbs 18:19). The Bible also warns us not to violate the trust of another and also not to trust a gossip. Look at these passages from Proverbs:
Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
Proverbs 18: 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
Proverbs 20: 19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
The vast majority of the time gossip is based on false words, either by being an outright lie or an embellishment of the truth – which is still a lie. Once when I was a bit younger, I experienced the slander of my reputation. I had a friend whom I knew growing up that went to a woman’s house in the middle of the night with another friend of his. My name was spread as being one of the people involved because I was a childhood friend of one of the young men who were part of this incident. One of the women in the church heard this gossip at a beauty salon owned by my friend’s aunt and found out the rumor. Before long, everyone in the church knew ‘what I did’ except me. I was not able to persuade the whisperers that I didn’t even know what they were talking about – much less could I convince the church gossips that I wasn’t involved. It was very frustrating having people make comments about your behavior when the true problem was that certain women were excitedly spreading slander and none of them even knew what they were talking about. It wasn’t until after I left this church that I found out the details of this incident and why I was assumed to be a participant.
This is how gossip works. Good news travels at a snail’s pace but gossip spreads like a wildfire. James 3:5-6 says it well:
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Once you start that fire, it is very, very difficult to put it out. We should heed the warning of Proverbs 10:18-19
18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Why does the Bible call the talebearer a fool? Because one of the basic commands given by God is, “You shall not bear false witness”. The gossip will be judged for their words – in fact, Jesus warned us that we will give an account for every word spoken. It is unfortunate that human nature is quick to believe something bad about someone and immediately attempts to spread the bad news. How would we do as a church if we were as eager to spread the good news about Jesus Christ?
False Witnessing through Doctrine
False witness is not only gossip; false witnessing is also spreading false teaching. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:14-17
14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up -- if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
Also consider Revelation 22:14-15
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
Throughout the Bible we are warned to be on guard against false teaching and false teachers. We are instructed to confront them, not allow them to have a platform and to avoid them. Some try to claim that criticizing a false teaching is the same as gossip, but this is a great error. When you spread gossip, you are tale bearing and even speaking about something that may or may not be true. Talking about someone’s escapades has no redeeming quality, cannot alert people to danger and cannot build up the church. Addressing false teaching is taking something that has been publicly taught and publicly comparing it to what God has taught in the scriptures. Questioning false teaching is not digging up dirt, but rather is taking something that is being given to the church as truth and exposing it as an error in the light of what is known to be truth – God’s word.
Paul himself warned the church that if even he should return and preach doctrine that is different than what has already been delivered, the church should reject him and consider him to be accursed (Galatians 1:8). In the passage above, the apostle Paul is stating that if the doctrine he is presenting is wrong, then he is a false witness before God. Per scripture, anyone who practices a lie will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is consistent with the rest of scripture. Look at 1 John 2:
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
No lie is of the truth. If a false teacher speaks ‘mostly truth’ but mixes in doctrine that leads people into a lie, that person and their doctrine is not of the truth. This is not a mistake in doctrine, but rather is teaching someone something that is contrary to scripture. Anyone who intentionally teaches something that the Bible contradicts is teaching a lie. The Bible warns us not to trust such a person. Anyone who points away from the scripture, devalues the scripture, claims that doctrine is not important or waters down the message so that God’s people are encouraged to live contrary to the word is a false witness. A true witness will seek to draw God’s people into fellowship with God. It is impossible to live contrary to the word and have fellowship with God. Look at 1 John 1:6-10
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
The purpose of God’s commandments is not to arbitrarily come up with a bunch of do’s and don’ts. The commandments of God are in place so that we conform to the image of Christ so that we can have fellowship with God and inherit the Kingdom of God and all His promises. You will hear people claim that ‘times have changed’ and that many of the commands of God no longer apply. This is a lie and those making these statements are false witnesses that are in direct violation of God’s foundational commandments.
The reason people struggle with commandments is because they are looking at this life as though it is the reward – when it is not. I love the word God gave to Abraham when he began to walk by faith, “I am your shield and exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1). When you realize that God is your reward, it will change your perspective. When you finally realize that your days are numbered, you will apply your heart to wisdom and the things that are valued in this world will no longer seem so important.
Consider the purpose of God’s commands. The commandments of God are based on God’s own character and His divine nature. God does not change; therefore, the God who works in your life today will be the same God you will stand before in eternity. The commandments and instructions of scripture serve to shape us into His image and conform us to His nature. This is how we grow close to our God. You cannot grow close to God while doing the things that are contrary to Him. When you love someone, you want to please that person and you will not do the things that damage your relationship. So why then do we think nothing of treating God with disdain by rejecting the instructions He has given us. The scriptures reveal to us the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We are then commanded to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5) and then to have unity in the church and be of the same mind (1 Corinthians 1:10). The command to be of the same mind is dependent on having the mind of Christ. Unity within the church is dependent on being joined to the head of the church, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). The commands of God may indeed go against our human nature, but they guide us and instruct us how to walk in the Spirit so that we can have fellowship with God as we become partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
Do Not Follow a Crowd to do Evil
“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil”. Look back across history. Very rarely have the masses gone in the right direction. The masses are easily led astray with persuasive words, emotions and group think. If you can get the majority to agree, the average person will follow the thought of the crowd. To follow a crowd to do evil can take many forms. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a riot is an act of sin. As the crowd builds up energy, it takes on a life of its own. I once watched a documentary that broke down the anatomy of a riot. This documentary captured footage of a riot from start to finish. It was amazing to watch the ‘Group Think’ take over the crowd. As the energy grew, people began to join in and bystanders became part of a larger collective body. As the unrest formed into a riot, the mass of individuals began to move, act and think as one body. They had unity, but were unified in sin.
We as Christians have the power to strive against the culture. As the culture collectively walks down the road of destruction, we have the power to stand as individuals following the Spirit of God who leads our steps. We also must realize that there is a cost for going against the crowd. A crowd walking in Group Think does not like those who are not a part of the collective body. In fact, you will be considered the enemy to those who are part of the crowd. This should not catch us off guard for the apostle John stated in 1 John 3:
13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
Jesus addressed this specifically in John 15:19-21
19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 "Remember the word that I said to you, ’A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
The world will hate those who are not within the group. We as Christians are to walk in the Spirit so that we hear God’s voice and live by a different standard. Many times the Bible has told us beforehand that if we walk in the Spirit, we will be hated, persecuted and will have tribulation in this world. The good news is that we will be rewarded and many promises of God are to those who will endure these persecutions. We can only go against the mindset of the world because we are living for the life to come.
Following a crowd to do evil does not only apply to a riot, but also to perverting the truth of the gospel. First look at Galatians 1:6-9
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
We know from the Bible that the gospel message does not change. This warning does not only apply to those who are turning people away from the Bible as a whole, but also by perverting the gospel through adding to or taking away from the word of God. Consider these two passages:
Proverbs 30: 5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
Revelation 22: 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Over the last few generations, the church has slowly shifted away from the word of God and has begun to put its trust in people. The Bible warns us that if we put our trust in people, we fall under the curse (Jeremiah 17). As the modern leaders have begun to follow each other and introduce new doctrines that are not found in scripture, Group Think has taken root in the church. Now you have the leaders who are drawing disciples after themselves calling us to abandon the Bible and follow them. If you do not side with them, you are viewed as being against them. New terms such as ‘biblolotry’ have been coined to label those who believe in scripture as rogues who worship the Bible. The term ‘biblolotry’ means to worship the Bible or make the Word of God into an idol. The irony of this term is striking. Consider this passage from John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
…
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
If the Word was God and the Word was made flesh, how can it be idolatrous to worship the word? This is like saying ‘Worshipping God is idolatry’. Even so, the individuals of the church are following the crowd to pervert the gospel and to intimidate those who follow the Bible into conforming to a new form of religion that they falsely claim is a new move of God.
The next time you are in a position where you are being pressured into conforming to the crowd, ask this question, “Will God judge me for believing the scriptures He gave?” And also ask yourself, “Will God judge me for not believing the scriptures He gave?” This passage will help us determine the answers to these questions. Look at John 12:47-48
47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
Friends, you MUST be a biblolater in order to be right with God. We don’t worship the physical paper and glue of the Bible; we believe, live by and put our faith in the word He has given for only the word has the power to save our souls. Look at James 1:21-22
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Do not follow the crowd, but be a leader who stands firm upon the truth of God’s word. I have always taught my children that leadership does not necessarily mean to be the one leading the charge. Many of today’s leaders look at where the crowd is going and jump to the front of the pack. They may be the first one over the cliff, but they are still following the crowd. You frequently see this in politics. I teach my kids that a leader is the one who is doing what is right. If the crowd is wrong, you must do what is right even if you are a leader of yourself only. I have been in situations in church where everyone was in agreement to do something that was clearly unbiblical. I do not have a dominating personality and I don’t care whether I am in charge or not, but I have learned that one dissenting voice can be very persuasive when the group is going in the wrong direction.
Once when a group of leaders were taking a vote, everyone in the room agreed that an unbiblical action was in the best interest of the church. When it came to me, I was in the stressful position to either agree with everyone else and go peacefully or to voice my biblical reasons why this was wrong. I found that when I expressed why this decision was contrary to the word, suddenly other men began to rescind their vote. In the end, very few were for the decision, but no one wanted to be the only one in disagreement. I also found that those pushing for their own ways do not like the one who stands up and they will call you divisive.
If you are a leader who stands on what is right, you will have conflict, you will be called divisive, you will be hated, you will be persecuted – even in the church. If your goal is to gain status in the church or obtain a position of honor, this is not the way to do it; however, if you want to stand in the love of God, you must stand upon His word. Jesus criticized those who seek honor from each other but do not seek the honor that only comes from God (John 5:44). Earthly honor is very short lived, but those who are leaders by following the word of God will have true, eternal honor from God. We must count the cost knowing that we will not have a cakewalk if we follow the word of God. This is why the Bible addresses this so often. Consider Matthew 5:10-13
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 " You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
As the world is allowed to fit its culture into the church, the church will continue to adopt the mindset of the world. As the ‘seeker friendly’ movements imitate the world, those who stand upon the word of God will find themselves in opposition to the worldly culture that now rules the church. We stand firm upon the word and instruct others with a spirit of gentleness. Look at Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
When we see people falling into these traps, we stand firm upon the word, but we are not called to rip into those who are deceived. With a gentle spirit we work to persuade others to follow the scripture. If they attack, we must be prepared to stand firm, but in a spirit of meekness. You can be firm without being belligerent. Remember that it is not ‘us against them’, but the doctrine being taught against the true word of God. We are not the focus. They may try to make you the focus, but you must continue to point to the word of God. When they say all manner of evil against you for His name sake, show them the word of God so that the Lord may draw their hearts. Our goal is not to condemn, but to restore.
So our focus should be to follow the word and not the crowd. Through relationships we also must seek to guide others into restoration to God. Avoid the ‘us against them’ mentality. When someone is deceived, we seek to be used by God to be an instrument to reach others and point them to the salvation of the word of God. Our calling is not to force others into conformity, but to be faithful to the word and trust that God will use our faithfulness as He wills.
Do not Pervert Justice
“[You shall not] testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice…You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.”
Even if the entire world turns aside from the law and perverts their way, we are without excuse if we join the crowd. A crowd may sin together, but we will all be judged as individuals. We live in a fallen world where justice is often pushed aside in favor of the rich and powerful. Anytime God places us into a position of influence, it is a very serious responsibility. This is true if we are in a position of authority or if we are just casting our voice to testify for or against an individual. Consider this important passage from Isaiah 5:20-23
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, 23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!
This passage describes several ways justice can be perverted. We can see this passage lived out in our culture today as sin is called good, morals and values are called evil, those who are ungodly are honored and those who are living for Christ are demonized. The last part of the passage especially applies to this study. Frequently we hear about political leaders, law enforcement and judicial leaders being caught taking bribes and perverting justice. Look at how many laws are passed that strip rights and even properties from those who are powerless and give it to major corporations. How many times have we heard of city councils voting to use eminent domain to strip property away from families to give it to developers that can offer money and increased revenue to the council?
When man loses sight of his accountability to his Creator, people are willing to sell their testimonies, lie to pervert justice or destroy the weak for personal gain. There is an accountability for those who pervert justice. Justice can be perverted for financial gain, retaliation against an enemy, or changing the values of a culture, but there will be a time of judgment. Look at Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
The time will come when the powerful will be held in account and according to the scripture, the wicked will not even have the power to stand in the judgment. This passage is describing someone who has such fear that they can not stand. Have you ever seen someone crumple with fear? This is not a position we want to be in. God is the one who ordains all authority and each person will be held personally accountable for how they exercise the power God delivers to them. There is a saying, “Absolute power corrupts – absolutely”. Where there is no accountability, human nature becomes self-serving and destructive.
The culture around us has no power to live moral lives, they are governed by laws, fear, cultural standards and the desire to conform to those standards. As the church loses its focus and becomes weak in our culture, the standard of the culture will continue to decline. If we look honestly we have to acknowledge that this decline is already well along. Look at the most common problems in schools now as opposed to the 1940s. The top 7 problems reported by schools in 1940 were:
1. Talking out of turn (1940)
2. Chewing Gum (1940)
3. Making noise (1940)
4. Running in the Halls (1940)
5. Cutting in Line (1940)
6. Dress-code violations (1940)
7. Littering (1940)
In 1990, the top 7 problems reported by schools were:
1. Drug abuse (1990)
2. Alcohol abuse (1990)
3. Pregnancy (1990)
4. Suicide (1990)
5. Rape (1990)
6. Robbery (1990)
7. Assault (1990)
I was not able to find a listing related to our current era, but there has been an enormous cultural decline in the last 20 years as well. Things that repulsed Americans a generation ago have been accepted and normalized today. The reason is that our culture has no moral compass other than the acceptable standard of those around them. Since the church has adopted the culture of the world through ‘seeker sensitive’ campaigns, the decline of the culture has intensified because the light that once exposed sin and challenged our culture has been replaced by the artificial light produced by the culture. When the culture has a greater influence on the church than the church does on the culture, the accountability of the culture has been lost and restraint has been cast off.
As the standards of the culture seep into our lives, we will be challenged to keep God’s commandments. Often that challenge will come from the members of the church itself. The Pharisees provide a good example of what to be on guard against. When they were plotting against Jesus, they ridiculed the leaders who did not conform. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and when they began to judge Jesus contrary to the law, he questioned them by saying, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They knew that they were in violation of the law that they claimed to be upholding and rather than acknowledging this, they mocked Nicodemus into silence. Those who were sent to arrest Jesus also came back questioning the legitimacy of their orders and they were also mocked. When the trial of Jesus arrived, no one stood up because all were intimidated into following the perverted standard of justice.
There will be times when you will find yourself in this type of position; therefore, you need to set your heart on the things of God now, know His word now, and seek His face now. When the time comes to stand, you will not be able to stand on your own strength but you can stand upon the word of God. You cannot control what those around you are doing, but you can stand upon the word of the Lord and faith in Christ. Do not lead the charge to do evil or pervert justice – but also do not be carried away with those who are perverting justice. Since God alone will hold us accountable, we should fear God rather than be intimidated by man. Look at the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:25-34
25 "It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 "Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 27 " Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 " Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 34 " Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
There is only one who can destroy both the body and the soul – the Lord God. Man can only do what God has given him the authority to do. Jesus made it clear that when you stand as His disciple, those in rebellion will say that you are of the devil. Do not be surprised if this happens – for it will happen if you truly stand upon truth. Indeed it is already happening within the church as Bible believing Christians are being called idolaters, judgmental and divisive. You are commanded to speak the truth without fearing the threats of men. There are also promises here that we can stand upon. First, if we are faithful, we will be honored by God. Second, even if you are hated, God is your shield and no one can harm you apart from God’s authority. Not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without God will and you have a higher place in God’s plan than a sparrow. This does not mean that God will not allow persecution, but it does mean that if we stand upon faith, God’s will is going to be done even in the midst of opposition. The person who preserves their own life is not the one rewarded; the person who lays down their life to be His disciple has the reward and the inheritance of God before them.
Conclusion
In conclusion to this study, let’s look one last time at the passage from Romans 13:9-10
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Each time you hear or read the Ten Commandments, think about the New Testament application of these foundational commandments. Not one of these commandments have passed away, nor will they pass away. Each commandment must be viewed through our faith in Jesus Christ and all is fulfilled under two root commandments: You shall love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus made it clear that on these two commandments hang all the law and prophets. In this passage in Romans, loving your neighbor as yourself fulfills all these commands that relate to our moral law relating to each other and social laws that guide our dealings with each other. You cannot steal from those you love, nor can you bear false witness, covet, commit adultery or any other thing that threatens those around you if you are walking in love.
If you love God with your all, you will keep all the commands in the word of God. Jesus made it clear that if you love God, you will obey the word and if you do not keep the word, you do not love God. Love is the fulfillment of the law. To love is to seek the good of another and to sacrifice ourselves to accomplish this when necessary – and it often is necessary. If we walk in the Spirit, we will fulfill the love of God and thus fulfill His commandments. The Holy Spirit pours the love of God into our hearts so that we are empowered to fulfill the law of love. If you follow Jesus in your daily life, you will walk in the Spirit and overcome the natural tendency of the flesh to sin. If we walk in the flesh, the works of the flesh which violate all God’s commandments will be evident in our life. Take to heart the instruction of Ephesians 5:1-10
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
The word of God reveals what is acceptable to the Lord and the Spirit of God reveals to us how to walk in that truth. Live as though loving God is the only thing that is truly important for this truly is the only way to fulfill God’s will in our lives and the only thing that gives our lives value and meaning. When our lives have eternal significance, our lives will be significant to those around us. We are the light of the gospel in this culture. Let us conclude with Philippians 2:14-16b
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life,
Jesus is the light of the world and we are children of that light. We are commanded to let our light shine that men may see the good works God is doing through our lives and glorify Him and be drawn to the light. This is only possible in the lives of those who hold fast to the word of life and keep His word as an obedient doer and not a complacent hearer. The one who keeps the word has the promise that he will be blessed in what he does. Walk by faith looking expectantly to God to do His work in your heart and shine through your life. When you do so, you will keep the Ten Commandments and receive the promise.
