This is the Love of God

Wouldn't it make sense, since God is a God of vast intelligence, that such a Being would have some means whereby He reveals Himself to His creation? And where better to reveal Himself than through His Word, the Bible?

Many have memorized the words "God is Love". But how is that love expressed? When asked what was the great commandment in the law, what did Jesus respond?

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 neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" Matt. 22: 37-40

Christ's own words reveal that the law of God is expressed through love. Yet how does the average individual look on the law?

We read in Romans 8:7 The carnal mind is enmity (hostile) against God: it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be so we know, from God's word, that human beings, in their natural state, are hostile to God and don't want to be under His law.

Why? If God is love, and He says that all the law hang on love toward God and love toward neighbor, wouldn't that law be a law of love, given for the benefit of mankind?

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.Ps 19:7-8

From these verses we learn that the law of the Lord is a perfect law. There is no flaw in it. What is it's purpose? It converts, making wise those who are simple. God's commandments are pure and open the eyes to the right way to live. They help mankind. An act of love.

He that keepeth the law, happy is he.Prov. 29: 18

The keeping of this law leads to happiness. And we all want to be happy. Our Creator, a God of LOVE, wants us to be happy.

Yet, the world is full of unhappiness, sorrow and suffering. Why? Because we have rejected God and His law ( a law that would lead to happiness) and placed ourselves under the harsh taskmaster of sin.

Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.John 8:34

What is sin?

Sin is the transgression of the law.I John 3:4

There you have it, straight from the Bible. Sin is the transgression of God's law. What is God's law? A law of love summed up in two brief commandments: Love God, Love neighbor. How do we love God and love neighbor? We will find the answer laid out in ten simple steps that if acted upon would lead to worldwide peace and happiness. Let's open our bibles to Exodus 20 and take a brief look at the Ten Commandments, because in them God reveals Himself. Let's see if they are the bondage that some have claimed, or if they are, in fact, given for mankind's own good. An act of love by a loving Creator.

ONE
Exodus 20:1-3

Notice that GOD spoke these words. They carry weight. They were given to mankind, to you and me, by our Creator. But why has God give us this first commandment? Is it because He wants to see man prostrate themselves before Him? Does He want to be Number One because He craves POWER over mankind? Look closely at this verse again and see what God has done for mankind. He has brought them out of the bondage of sin, typified by Egypt. It was an act of service. When mankind starts to put false gods before the true God he looses contact with the only God that is able to save him from the bondage of sin, which results in mankind's death.

Your iniquities have separated between you and your God. Isa. 59:2

The result?

The wages of sin is death. Rom 6:23.

Placing God first in our lives keeps us in contact with the only reliable source of eternal life.

God, on earth as the Son of man, set us a perfect example in this commandment. When Satan tempted Jesus with instant power if only He would worship him, what was the response?

Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matt. 4: 8-10

Satan, as the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4), offered Jesus the earth at that time. No need to go through the agony of the crucifixion to become the King of Kings, Satan no doubt argued. You can have it all NOW. But Jesus knew His scripture. He knew that putting another god before the true God would result in sin. If Jesus had not stood fast and resisted the temptation to break God's commandments you and I would not have a Savior and would still be under the death penalty that sin brings!

TWO
Gen. 20: 4-6

Let's notice first that this verse instructs us in HOW to worship God. Left to his own reasoning mankind would want something he can see and touch and feel to worship. Something that appeals to his five senses. But God warns against that.

God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. John 4: 24

How is this possible? Peter gives the answer to that question in Acts 2: 38 Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. With the aid of God's Holy Spirit, which He gives upon repentance and baptism, a person is then able to worship God in Spirit and truth.

For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God... Now if God is a God of love, how can He be jealous? God loves those that are His. He guards them very carefully. Every hair on their head is numbered. He is zealous for their welfare. This is Godly jealousy. Not because God wishes to OWN us. But He wishes to lead and direct us in the way that will result in our bringing blessings upon ourselves and our offspring for generations to come and ultimately bring us into His eternal kingdom. When we worship false gods, be they material or spiritual, we place in our children's minds incorrect concepts that are passed down from generation to generation resulting in some pretty terrible consequences.

Note too, that God only allows this degenerate condition to continue to the third and fourth generation. To those who love Him and keep His commandments is the promise of mercy unto the thousandth generation! Great is the reward for worshipping the true God!

THREE
Gen. 20: 7

Why do we need to be careful of using God's name in a careless manner? Is God on an ego trip? Does He demand respect? You bet He does! But not because of ego. Why then must we guard our speech where God's name is concerned?

Ask yourself, when do people generally misuse God's name? Isn't it when they are angry or upset? What does that do to the mental image that one has of the ALMIGHTY God? A God of LOVE.

God has POWER and OFFICE and AUTHORITY over His creation. What is puny man that he should blaspheme the only name by which mankind might be saved from their sins? Jesus, in teaching His disciples how to pray, said that God's name was hallowed. Yet too often mankind throws God's name out in a fit of rage, or evokes God to condemn a fellow human being made in the image of God. Such a thoughtless, inconsiderate act paints a wrong mental picture. God does punish, but always in love, for the person's own welfare. Heb.12:6 For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. Why? Verse 10 last part. . . but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

What about giving men God's title? Is this a form of taking God's name in vain? Matt. 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Here is very straightforward, easy to be understood instruction to call no man your spiritual father. Yet countless denominations claiming to "know the LORD" do just that. If we are truly to know Him we will look, not to a man as a spiritual leader, but to our Father which is in heaven. We will listen to His instruction and prove everything from His word (I Thes 5:21) - not taking the assurance of some man who claims to have a special relationship with God (Gal. 1: 8) . How about the title "Reverend"? Ps. 111:9 states: He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is His (God's) name The title reverend applies to someone who is to be revered. God wishes us to know Him as a loving Father whom we fear to disobey. Heb. 12:28 Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Godly fear is the sort of fear one has of falling short of a Father's expectations. If we truly know Him we will serve Him because we WISH to, remembering also that God corrects those He loves.

Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doest the will of my Father, which is in heaven. Matt.7: 21 It is possible to worship God our own way and fail to enter into the kingdom. We need to look into God's Bible and rightly divide the words of truth, not adding to or taking away from the plain teachings found there. Because, as we have seen, only through doing the will of the Father and the keeping of His commandments can we maintain contact with the one who is able to save us from our sins. As one lives their lives in Christ they will find that doing His will is not a burden but a delight for, not only will obedience reap blessings, but when we truly know Him we will WANT to obey from the HEART.

FOUR
Gen. 20: 8 - 11

Remember seems to imply that Israel knew of this commandment already, which, in fact, they did. If you look into the account you will find that God had instructed the Israelites in the keeping of the Sabbath in Exodus 16, before the ten commandments were given at Mt. Sinai. Verses 26 - 30 Six days ye shall gather it (manna); but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day. God had given them this seventh day to rest, why? Ex. 16:4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no. It was a test commandment. God was going to prove (test) them, to see if they would obey or not.

Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy. God hallowed the seventh day at creation by blessing the day and resting in it. Gen. 2: 1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Mankind can not make anything holy but they can defile those things that God has made holy by an act of deliberate rebellion.

The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath Mark 2: 27-28 The Sabbath was MADE. For who? Not for the Jews, but for man. Who is Lord of the Sabbath? Jesus said that He was. During His physical life Jesus kept the Sabbath and instructed his disciples how to keep it correctly: worshipping God and performing acts of mercy. Recall that God is love and He is revealing Himself to us through His commandments. Why then this fourth commandment?

As we have seen the Sabbath is holy time with roots going back to creation, yet made for mankind. For the Israelites it became a test commandment. Since it was made for man some men reason that they are free to do as they like on that day. Yet what does the bible teach? Rom. 10:2 Paul states For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. How do we obtain knowledge? For by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:20

It is possible to be zealous for God, yet not according to knowledge. Jesus asks in Luke 6:46 Why call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? We must be doing what Christ instructs through His law, not what we devise in our own hearts or what some "scholar" in his human vanity reasons we are free to do. Of the Pharisees, who never understood the true meaning of the Sabbath and had added on to the law until the day had become a burden rather than a blessing, Christ said, In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. 15:9.

Wouldn't it be best to go to the one who MADE the Sabbath and see how He instructs one to keep the day that He set aside as Holy Time?

Many of you are working parents. Don't you look forward to the weekend when you can spend some time with your family? Maybe sit down and have a meal together and discuss how the past week went? Without quality time the family quickly grows apart. Ideas aren't shared, thoughts aren't aired. The same is true of the God family. If God hadn't set aside time for us to commune with Him we would quickly become caught up in the day to day struggle of making ends meet. God knew that mankind would need a day each week away from his physical pursuits. He needed to spend some quality time in worship and physical, as well as spiritual, rest. That is ONE of the reasons he created the Sabbath and gave it to mankind. Not as a curse, but a blessing. Given by a loving God to keep His children in contact with Him.

Wouldn't any day serve this purpose? Shouldn't we be in contact with God all through the week anyway? Yes, but God didn't command us to keep just any day, but to "Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy." In Heb. 4:9 Paul states, There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. the word rest comes from the Greek word Sabbatismos and should have been more correctly translated Sabbath. The verse should read then, There remaineth therefore a keeping of the Sabbath to the people of God. God's people will be following Christ who not only created the Sabbath, but, during his physical life, observed the seventh day Sabbath as holy time. We must worship God as He commands, not as our human reasoning leads us to.

FIVE
Gen. 20: 12

This, the fifth commandment, is the link between the commandments that deal with our relationship with God and our relationship with our fellow human beings. For God is our spiritual Father, Jesus Christ is our older brother, and God's Church (ekklesia), His called out ones are His offspring, begotten, but not yet born, sons of God.

How does one honor their parent? It's always nice to hear the words, "Thank you", or "I love you", or "Yes sir, and Yes Ma'am" when you're a parent. But even more gratifying are the times when children demonstrate positive qualities that reflect well on the family name.

If children (whatever their age) are living as God would have them live, and are under the law of LOVE, they will be honoring their parents by their actions as well as their words. They will be courteous, respectful and concerned for the welfare of others. They will be fulfilling both of the great commandments, love toward God and love toward neighbor. Notice as a child the example that Jesus set. And he said unto them, (his physical parents) "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2: 49, 51, 52

God is love and his commandments reflect that love. As an adult Jesus still lived the perfect example when, suffering on the cross, He thought, not of Himself, but His mother, who stood at His feet, watching her Son give His life in the ultimate sacrifice.When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, He saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home John 19:26-27.

Speaking to His Father, Christ said I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:5 Christ was always the loving, obedient Son. Christ wanted to make sure that His disciples understood His relationship with His Father. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. John 14: 31

Jesus always demonstrated love and obedience toward his parents be they physical or spiritual. If all of God's children followed his example what a blessing it would be to the family.

SIX
Gen. 20: 13

Almost all of mankind realizes that murder is wrong. Much debate has taken place as to whether it is right to take the life of a convicted killer. We don't need to get into that argument in this article. For what we are interested in here is discovering the mind of God. Why God gave us this commandment in the first place. What we want to look at is not the physical aspect of this commandment, that is rather obvious, but the spiritual level that Christ raised this commandment to and the love that it reveals.

But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matt. 5: 21-22

Jesus Christ, the God of love, raised this commandment to a spiritual level during His earthly ministry. Now, not only must man not commit murder, but he must not harbor malice in his heart toward another human being. Not only must he harbor no malice but he is instructed to love his fellow human beings. let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. I John 3:18. Words aren't enough. We are told to love in deed, in action. God is love and If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another I John 4:11. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? I John 4:20

God, a God of love, wants us to have the same mind as He does. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus Phil 2:5 How did Christ respond to those who mocked him? Who spit in his face and subjected him to a brutal beating before nailing him to the stake? If anyone ever had the right to harbor ill will toward another individual it was Christ toward those who had so ill treated the Son of God. What was His attitude? Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34 This is the mind of Christ. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to those that hate you, and pray for those which despitefully use you and persecute you. Matt. 5:44

How is such love possible? Without God's law, written in our hearts, man seldom posses such an unselfish love. It is only with the help of God's spirit, given by a loving God to those who repent and are baptized, that such a love can exist.

SEVEN
Gen. 20: 14

Many people today feel that it is a form of bondage to tie themselves down to one mate. But what does God have to say on the subject?

From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. They twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mark 10:6-9

From the beginning God intended man and woman to be joined together as a team. The Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him an help meet (fit) for him. Gen. 2:18

They are no longer two separate individuals, but one. Physically, through the sexual act, but on a higher plane one in desires and hopes. One in commitment and purpose. They have bonded. If practiced correctly the result of such unity is a blessing.

Notice the instruction found in Ecc. 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity. God wants husbands and wives to live together in JOY all of their lives. Of course sometimes, due to the shortcomings of a mate, that doesn't happen. But, if a person truly knew God and followed what He taught, marriage would be one of the greatest physical blessings given to mankind.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. Eph. 5:25. Christ once again has set us a perfect example. The church, (His bride) made up of imperfect individuals, was so precious to Jesus that He gave His own life in sacrifice. If men followed their Creator's instructions and example, they would love their wives as their own bodies. They would be nourishing the relationship. Making sure that their mate's needs were met. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: Eph.5: 28,29

Wives, if this commandment were obeyed in the spirit, would deeply respect their husbands. And the wife see that she reverence her husband Eph 5:33 last part. As the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be unto their own husbands in everything. Eph. 5:24 Why give man such power? Is not the woman, in many cases, just as capable of making sound decisions as the man? Of course. In Gal. 3:28 we find, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus God looks on ALL people as equal. But, God is not the author of confusion. I Cor. 14:33. In any relationship, business or personal, someone must have the final word in matters, otherwise there is no order and confusion results. So it is in the family structure. There must be someone who calls the final shots, even if, occasionally, they make errors in judgment.

Two are better than one. God says in Ecc. 4:9. But warns, What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mark 10:9 Why? For our own happiness, but also because the family unit of a loving husband as leader, a respectful wife as his helper, and the obedient children that result from that union, shadow the spiritual reality of God's plan for mankind.

Husbands and wives who truly know the LORD will be working to reflect God in their marriages, living, as best as they are able, up to the standards He has laid down through His word.

EIGHT
Gen. 20: 15

Most of us realize that it is wrong to steal. And yet, ironically, most people are guilty of breaking this commandment. Everyone seems to be out for number one. And if that means charging too much for a used car, or taking supplies home from the work place, then that is just the way it is. The average worker supplies the least amount of effort for the best possible wage. While too many businesses give as low of wage as they can get by with for as much work as they can squeeze out of their employees.

What does God say to the workman? Let him who stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Eph. 4:28.

Not only is a Christian to be a hard working employee, but he is to give his excess to those who are in need. God values hard work. Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with all thy might Ecc. 9:10 God sets the example Himself: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work John 5:17

And to the employer: Behold, the hire of the labourers . . . which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. James 5:4 God hears the cries of those who are taken advantage of by greedy employers. Those who hold back a fair wage are breaking God's commandment against stealing. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Prov. 3:27 The labourer is worthy of his hire. Luke 19:7 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. Prov. 27: 23 might be translated in this day and age, "Work hard to know how your employees are fairing, and keep a close eye on their welfare."

His promise to those who deal with a generous hand? The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall also be watered himself. Prov. 11:9 He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Prov. 14:21 Here God promises blessings to those who, rather than taking from others, extend a helping hand. Happy, is the man who shows mercy rather than greed.

Is it possible to steal from God? Mal. 3:8 address that question. Will a man rob God? and the answer ... But ye have robbed me. How? In tithes and offerings. The result: verse nine Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. And what does God reveal will happen to those who pay tithes? verse 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

What does Jesus have to say on the subject? Mark 12: 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. The question here was whether or not it was right to pay taxes to the civil leader. But notice that Jesus said that there were things that they were to render to God, clearly His tithes. In addressing the zealous, but misguided, religious leaders of His day Jesus said in Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay TITHE of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Notice that Jesus tells them in no uncertain terms that they had a failing, they lacked mercy and judgment. But notice also that, though they should have shown mercy and judgment, they were also to have paid their tithes these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Why does God want a person to pay tithes? Jesus instructed His disciples to Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing the in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matt. 28: 19-20 Such an undertaking requires financing. But notice that the tithe is to be used to teach man to observe the things that God has commanded. It is to benefit mankind. Another act of love.

The mind of God, revealed in this, the eighth commandment, is, perhaps, best summed up in the book of Acts. It is more blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:35

NINE
Gen. 20: 16

Mankind often employs situations ethics. What comes out of their mouth is dictated by whatever circumstances they find themselves in. They reason that it is all right to lie on occasion, if the situation warrants. But what does God say?

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord. Prov. 12:22 Why? Not only is a person whose word can't be trusted hurting others, he is also crippling his own character and His relationship with God. For a person who has no concept of truth isn't going to know God whose Word is TRUTH.

Notice the strong warning in James: And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell James 3:6.

Whose spirit are we giving into when we lie? Who is the Father of liars? Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8: 44

Imagine what the world would be like if this one commandment were obeyed. There would be no more tabloid magazines or 'disclosure' books printing gossip and slander. The reputation of a man would be protected. No longer could a politician gain power by promising things that he had no intention of delivering. Advertisements would have to be based on truth, not on false claims. No more cheating in business to get ahead. Each employee, and product, would be evaluated by their performance and worth.

How does God look on those who try and keep this commandment? They that deal truly are his delight. Prov. 12:22 God delights in those who deal truthfully. Why? Because this is the nature of God. I am the way THE TRUTH and the life. John 14:6.

When He was on the earth Christ's mission was to witness truth. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. John 18:37.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb. 13:8) The mind of Christ is still a truthful mind.

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8: 31,32 Those who follow God's teachings revealed through His word, the bible, will know the truth and experience God's grace which frees them from the death penalty brought on by the breaking of His eternal laws. They will be striving as best as they are able to live up to God's standards. And when they fail through weakness or ignorance, they know that they can go to God in genuine repentance and receive forgiveness for their sins. Indeed Great peace have they which love thy law Ps. 119: 165

TEN
Gen. 20: 17-18

Job 41:11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. God owns everything on the earth. Yet what has God done? In Heb. 2: 6-8 we read, But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels: thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left not that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. Ultimately all things are to be given over to mankind. In Chapters One and Two of Genesis we see that God put mankind in the garden to dress it and to keep it and to have dominion over the creation. God is a God of GIVE not a God of GET.

Who is the author of covetous behavior? For thou, (speaking of Lucifer) hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most High. Isa. 14: 13-14. Satan, at that time named Lucifer, wanted what wasn't his. He wasn't content with what God had given him. He wanted to take over God's throne and rule the universe. His attitude was one of greed and jealousy.

When God gave the tenth commandment to mankind it was to prevent the sort of confusion and destruction that such an ungodly attitude generates. The commandment was given as an act of love.

There is nothing wrong with possessions. I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health. III John 2 But mankind needs to keep them in proper perspective. Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12: 15. Remember the rich young man in Matthew 19 who asked Christ what he should do to inherit eternal life? Christ, knowing his heart, told him to sell what he had and give to the poor. Why? Because he knew that the man set great stock in his wealth. By coveting he was placing another god before the true God.

In summary the love of God is revealed in two great commandments. Love toward God and Love toward Neighbor. And God's instructions, given in ten brief points, show us how to apply that love.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past and the true light now shineth. I John 2:7-8

The new commandment of Jesus was both new and old. The new raises God's commandments to a higher plane. Now we are to keep the law, with the help of God's spirit, because it is written in our hearts. It is something we deeply desire to do. It has become a spiritual law, not just a physical. We obey the spirit which goes beyond the letter. It is an old commandment too because it's based on God's perpetual law. It is what we have heard from the beginning. It has it's roots in the ten commandments. God's word says nothing about casting the commandments aside. Indeed, they are to be our standard. We are instructed by Paul: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5 Christ kept the commandments. He lived a sin free live to present himself as a perfect sacrifice but also to set us an example. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. I John 2:6

Of ourselves we are incapable of keeping these commandments perfectly. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. I John 1:8 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23 Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Jas. 2:10.

So what are we to do? Throw up our hands and say that it is impossible to keep God's law, so why try? We've seen that these commandments were given for our own good. Yet, To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is a sin. Jas 4:17 God expects us to act on what we know. If you love me (you who claim to 'know' me), keep my commandments. God tells us in John 14:15.

True Christians, those who truly "know the LORD", will be striving to keep God's commandments. When they fall short, and they will, they will go to God and confess their shortcomings and ask for forgiveness on an ongoing bases. When God sees that through weakness we have once again fallen short, but that our heart desires to keep the law, He will respond in love and forgive us our sins. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. I John 1:9

Then, at Christ's second coming, He will change our vile bodies to be like unto His glorious body. (Phil. 3:21) The final act of love from a Creator who reveals His true character to those who love Him and keep his commandments.