We know the last five of the ten commands as, #6 Thou shalt not kill, #7 Thou shalt not commit adultery, #8 Thou shalt not steal, #9 Thou shalt not bear false witness, #10 Thou shalt not covet. These commandments are all about loving our neighbor as ourselves. That is why we are to remember to stay in God’s love and love one another at all times, that our desires to murder, have an affair, steal things, lie, and covet things we don’t need are not in our heart. It is when we forget about God and became selfish in what we have and do is when we break God’s commandments. Now, learn also from Paul the Apostle who also said, “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 neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10) Isn’t this amazing what we learn about loving one another. Truly, as we learn to love other people around us, doing good unto them and not evil will come naturally. This is the type of person God is looking for in each of us. The question is, are you who God is looking for? If not, get right with the Lord Jesus today.
Paul also taught, “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 wantonness, 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 13:11-14) Wow! What he said is so powerful. In order to love one another and do God’s will, we must first do something for God. As Paul said, we must wake from our sleep, for so many people are not awake for God but continue to do their own things day in and day out. This is so frustrating not just for me and other believers, but God on High. Salvation is so near unto people if they would just wake up and run to Him in prayer and in all their confessions. In this moment, your desire to remove every ounce of sin in your life will also allow God to cast off the works of darkness. We need the Lord to help us with that. That means going forth and not doing things the world does. So we stop lying and become honest people. We stop being defiant to God but live by every word that comes from His mouth. He makes us sober-minded, as we give up drinking for God. Even our lustful passions are tamed as we abide in Jesus. He helps us become a real servant and saint on this earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will learn to love You, God, even with all our heart, mind, and strength. That this same love for You will radiate upon other people’s lives also. Then, we will learn what it means to be selfless, and rather care for one another than to find fulfillment in this world. I’ve discovered where true joy comes from and it is not from what people or the world has offered me, but what You can do for and through me, God. You are the rock upon which I stand and love it when I am led by Your hand. You continue to lead me into green pastures, which I love. This is when my desires to hurt somebody, to lie, to steal, to look upon women to lust, and to covet what other people have are all squashed. I love it when I am in Your presence. There is no sin in me at these times, for only Your light abounds. It is when I go astray and start doing my own things that I lose track of what is most important. The flesh begins to take the upper hand and its desires start coming out. This is when I am so weak in temptations, as I should be. Because I don’t have Your strength to resist the enemy, I am a sitting duck to the devil’s plans for my life. For this cause have I run to You for safety. While seeking You earnestly all these many days, You have clothed me with righteousness, even the amour of light. And because I am now on Your side, the enemy is no match to Your great power. I am just so grateful, God, for You took me back in, even though I have left You so many times in my life. You never cast me aside and I am so grateful. You are so merciful and patient. I love You, God. Amen.
