Hey there SimpleGardener!
The context of verse 6 can be found in verse 5. Our GOD is a jealous GOD. And the Iniquity of us in bowing down to idols is seen as hate for HIM. But not bowing down to idols and having no other GOD is seen as Love for HIM. These that love him and keep HIS commandments HIS mercy endures forever.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
(Exo 20:5-6 KJV)
Thank You lightbearer,
For adding that context. I left that undone.
I know I hammer this point and I hear your words on it and I agree with your understanding that to "Love" God is to know and keep His commandments!
It is a sad thing I consider when I am regularly faced with thoughts of men who feel the Laws of God are to be held at a distance, practically held in contempt by those who press so hard into Grace. It takes an open heart and mind to read the Torah and allow the Holy Spirit to present it to us the way it was written, with all of its wisdom and love. There is an overeager willingness to dispatch anything and everything that has the slightest hint of legalism, little realizing that it is not the Law that is at odds with Grace, or Grace that is at odds with the Law, No, it is the condition of a mans heart! Mens hearts are constantly at the core of the matter. To shift it to Grace or the Law is a diversion.
Why do men's hearts wax cold? Matt 24:12
When men hearts wax cold, what do they practice, or is it when men practice___ do their hearts wax cold? 1 John 3:4
Why will Jesus remove men from the Kingdom in the last days? Matt 13:41
How, or by what actions did Jesus declare we could turn our hearts towards Him and love Him? John 14:21
What did Jesus prophesy would be the reason He would reject and send away "Many" in "that day"? Matt 7:21-23
It is hard for men to see the heart, outwardly men can appear very spiritually beautiful, whole, godly, but what can even someone who looks like this truly be? Matt 23:27-28
Lawlessness is the scourge we were redeemed from!
How? Seriously, how can someone who knows they were redeemed from lawlessness, to purity and good deeds/works come against men who have been transformed unto good deeds and a love for the Law? Titus 2:14
Blind Dogma is all I see at this point.