Exodus 20:4-6 You shall not make to you any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath… Love and obedience, like two sisters, must go hand in hand. A good Christian is like the sun, which doth not only send forth light, but goes its circuit round the world: so he hath not only the light of knowledge, but goes his circuit too, and moves in the sphere of obedience. In what manner must we keep God's commandments? 1. Our keeping the commandments must be fiducial. Our obedience to God's commandments must spring from faith; therefore it is called "the obedience of faith." 2. Our keeping the commandments must be uniform. We must make conscience of one commandment as well as another; "then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all Thy commandments." Physicians have a rule, when the body sweats in one part, but is cold in another, it is a sign of a distemper: so when men seem zealous in some duties of religion, but are cold and frozen in others, it is a sign of hypocrisy. We must have respect to all God's commandments. 3. Our keeping God's commandments must be willing; "if ye be willing and obedient." A musician is not commended for playing long, but for playing well; it is obeying God willingly is accepted; the Lord hates that which is forced, it is rather paying a tax than an offering. If a willing mind be wanting, there wants that flower which should perfume our obedience, and make it a sweet smelling savour to God. That we may keep God's commandments willingly, let these things be well weighed. Our willingness is more esteemed than our service; therefore David counsels Solomon not only to serve God, but with a willing mind. The will makes sin to be worse, and makes duty to be better. To obey willingly shows we do it with love; and this crowns all our services. There is that in the Lawgiver, which may make us willing to obey the commandments, namely, God's indulgence to us.There is that in God's commandments which may make us willing; they are not burdensome. 1. For a Christian, so far as he is regenerate, consents to God's commands — "I consent to the law that it is good." 2. God's commandments are sweetened with joy and peace. Cicero questions whether that can properly be called a burden which one carries with delight and pleasure. If a man carries a bag of money given him, it is heavy, but the delight takes off the burden; when God gives inward joy, that makes the commandments delightful. 3. God's commandments are advantageous. (1) Preventive of evil. Had He not set them as a hedge or bar in our way, we might have run to hell, and never stopped. (2) Nothing in them but what is for our good. Not so much our duty as our privilege. 4. God's commandments are ornamental. It is an honour to be employed in a king's service. 5. The commands of God are infinitely better than the commands of sin, these are intolerable. Many have gone with more pains to hell than others have to heaven. This may make us obey the commandments willingly. 6. Willingness in obedience makes us resemble the angels. Use: It reproves them who live in a wilful breach of God's commandments, — in malice, uncleanness, intemperance, — they walk antipodes to the commandment.To live in a wilful breach of the commandment is — 1. Against reason. 2. Against equity. 3. Against nature. 4. Against kindness. ( T. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: |
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