THE COMMANDMENTS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32627, 28 September 1945, Page 5

THE COMMANDMENTS

(To the -Editor.)

Sir, —Referring to an article appearing in the Gazette recently, regarding church membership a fallacy, the writer stating that man-made labels, denominationalism and churchgoing does not qualify us for eternal life, it m'akes us wonder who, then, may “enter in.” Revelation 22-, 14th. verse, the last chapter -of the Bible, answers this for us, does' it not? “Blessed are they that do His- Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates, into the -City.” Many references to the keeping of God’s 'Commandments, are made in the Bible, and it is through the f orsaking of His moral laws that the peoples of the world have lost the peaceable way of living. Firstly, Jesus gives the invitation to “Come,” and) we are thus, born into Christ’s “Royal” family, and: that inexpressible, unspeakable gift of peace which passeth all understanding and love, comes into the heart. But Jesus adds, “Come, and learn' of Me.”

If we were born into the Royal Family, we would naturally and automatically conform to the royal way of living, would we not? And so God has given us His ten Commandments in Exodus 20, as a guidance for the Christian life, and until His teachings are followed, then, and then only, can we expect to see a better —so much desired —new world order, as they comprise love to God and love to our neighbour. He afterwards said He would write them- on the fleshy tablets of the heart. In Matthew 19, 1617th. verse, when the young man asked Jesus “what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life,” Jesus answered: “ . . . But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments.”

Matthew 5, 19th. verse: ‘“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least

in the Kingdom of 'Heaven', but whosoever shall d'o and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” John 14, 15th. verse: “If ye love (Me, keep My Commandments.” John I'4, 2:lst. verse: “He that hath My Commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me.” John I's, 10th. verse: “If ye keep My Commandments, ye shall abide in iMy love.” Corinthians' 7, 19th'. verse: “(Circumcision is nothing and luncircumeision is nothing, but the keeping of the Commandments of God.” 1 John, 2, v. 4: “He that saith I know Him', and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

While we are clearly shown our obligations to God, He also makes it clear our attitude to one another. We are not to keep our love smugly locked up as it were in a water-tight compartment, as 1 here we have His word again. John I'3, v. 34: “A new Commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” “My yoke is easy, and 1 my burden light.” Jesus died on the Cross for us. “This I have done for thee. What hast thou done for Me?”—l am, etc., SINCERE.