The Bible records that a man came to Jesus one day asking: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus’ immediate response was, “if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” ( Matthew 19:16, 17). The answer Jesus gave surprises many today, for it is quite different than many assume He would have given. The standard answers, so popular today, are usually such things as repent, believe, be baptized, confess, etc.; but sadly, seldom does one hear “be obedient to God.” When Jesus soon returns there will be many professed Christians who will be surprised to hear Him say, “depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21- 23). Remember, iniquity is sin and “sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Therefore, an appropriate paraphrase would be “Depart from Me, ye that reject and transgress My commandments.” The relationship between love and obedience is clearly seen in such statements of Jesus as: “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3). “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men” (Mark 7:7, 8). It is interesting that the only commandment God prefaced with the word “remember” is the very one the majority of the world has forgotten. When God brings this commandment to one’s attention they are usually told by their religious leaders not to concern themselves with it for it is now obsolete. This, however, should not come as a surprise for the word of God warned that there would be “false teachers” who would “bring in damnable heresies” and “many shall follow their pernicious ways” and the “truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2). This has truly taken place today. Discover how in The Forgotten Commandment. Joe Gresham PB 79 pg
