Verse 2
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus
The Lord Jesus and His commandments
I.
Jesus is Lord.
1. By Divine appointment “He shall reign.”
2. By creative acts He has a right to rule over things and beings whom He has made.
3. By redemptive work: “Ye are not your own.”
4. By the glad acknowledgment of His saints: “Unto Him that loved us.”
5. By the ultimate recognition of the universe: “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,” etc.
II. As Lord Jesus has a right to command.
1. This right is uniformly asserted. Christ never prefers a request, makes a suggestion, or expresses a wish; it is always “ Come,” “Go,” “Do this,” “If I, your Lord and Master ye aught.”
2. This right has been blasphemously usurped. They are impious usurpers who determine other means of salvation, or rules of moral conduct other than those He has laid down. “One is your Master.”
III. His commands have been plainly revealed. “Ye know.”
1. Directly by Himself. “Love one another,’” etc.
2. Instrumentally by His accredited ambassadors. “We gave you from the Lord Jesus.” Their deliverances, however, are only applications of Christ’s principles to particular persons and places.
3. Permanently in the Bible.
(1) How clearly.
(2) How accessibly. Ignorance is without excuse.
IV. Obedience to His commandments is the criterion of discipleship. Commands are given--
1. Not to be thought about.
2. Not to be the subjects of promise in regard to the doing of them.
3. But to be obeyed. “Ye are My disciples if ye do.” This doing must be--
(1) Universal. “Whatsoever I command you.”
(2) Prompt. There is no time to lose.
(3) Cheerful. We are subjects of so good a King.
Conclusion:
1. Christ as Lord is approachable. He is “the mighty God,” but, He is the “Man Christ Jesus.” Sovereigns are difficult of access, are surrounded by the pomp of circumstance, excite embarrassment and nervousness when they do not terrify. But we may “come boldly to the throne of grace.”
2. His commandments are not grievous. They are reducible to a few plain principles which a child may learn by heart. If we grasp them we practically grasp all. And then they are simply the conditions upon which alone our well-being can be secured.
3. What He has bidden us do He has done Himself. It makes all the difference on a field of battle whether the commanding officer says “Go” or “Come.” Christ says, “I must go … if any man will come after Me.” “I have left you” not only commands but “an example,” an embodied command.
4. In loving loyalty to Christ there is great reward. “Lo, I am with you,” now; “Well done,” by and by. (J. W. Burn.)
The authority of Christ
Christ does not appeal to men as the heathen philosophers did. They ask opinions, court criticism, and even the wily and garrulous Socrates gives men an opportunity of differing from him; but Christ, with “the authoritative tone and earnestness” of the Son of God, says, “This is absolute; believe it and be saved, or reject it and be damned.” He says that He came from the Father, that He speaks the Word of the Father, and that He is returning to the Father. So there is nothing between Him and God; immediately behind Him, though invisible, lies infinitude, and He sets Himself up as the medium on which the voice of the infinite is broken into human sounds. (J. Parker, D. D.)
God’s commandments a protection and a delight
Reconciliation to God is like entering the gate of a beautiful avenue which conducts to a splendid mansion. But that avenue is long, and in some places it skirts the edge of dangerous cliffs; and therefore to save the traveller from falling over where he would be dashed to pieces, it is fenced all the way by a quick set edge. That hedge is the Commandments. They are planted there that we may do no harm; but like a fence of the fragrant briar, they regale the pilgrim who keeps the path, and they only hurt him when he tries to break through. Temperance, justice, truthfulness, purity of speech and behaviour, obedience to parents, mutual affection, Sabbath keeping, Divine worship--all these are righteous requirements; and “in keeping of them there is great reward.” Happy is he who only knows the precept in the perfume which it sheds, and who, never having “kicked against the pricks,” has never proved the sharpness of the thorns. (J. Hamilton, D. D.)
God’s commandments reasonable
There is mention made of one who willingly fetched water near two miles every day for a whole year to pour on a dead stick at the command of a superior, when no reason could be given for so doing. How ready then should every one be to do Christ service, whose commands are backed with reason, and whose precepts are attended with encouragements. (J. Spencer.)
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