What are his commandments?

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203» Phil 1:28 . . In nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them
an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

That terror is likely relative to threats, coercion, intimidation, public opinion,
vandalism, rumors, 24/7 surveillance, lock downs, filtered information,
censoring, isolation, searches and seizures, raids, imprisonment, privation,
insanely huge bail bonds, long prison sentences for minor infractions, travel
restrictions, denial of basic human rights and civil liberties, limited medical
care, frozen bank accounts, black-outs of financial services (credit cards,
debit cards, and ATM machines) watch lists, and physical violence, etc.
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[The_old_guy]

Perhaps, you're right, but we don't know for sure what shape it will take.

 

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204» Phil 2:1-2 . . If you have any encouragement from being united with
Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like
minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

"unity" is a buzz word among wokes, liberals, and cheap politicians; but these
instructions in no way pertain to those folks. No, the above is limited to a very
narrow cross section of society whom Jesus labeled: "those you have given
me" (John 17:9). It is they for whom Christ prayed for unity. (John 17:11,
John 17:21-22)

The Greek word translated "tenderness and compassion" pertains to one's bowels
which is where we "feel" pity and/or sympathy for others.

* Feelings are easy to imitate, but not so easy to duplicate.
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205» Phil 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.

If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same
plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human
nature values status, and it's prone to rivalry.

Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted,
they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody,
they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower;
they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight.
And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's
nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.

If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an
usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure
your heart's in the right place because there is coming a performance
evaluation for the Lord's sheep where some of the elite are going to be very
embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious achievers they really
are.

● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will
expose the motives of men's hearts.

An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
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[The_old_guy]

You're preaching to the "choir." I agree, since I was a preacher of the Word for 27 years.

 

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206» Phil 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but
also to the interests of others.

The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the
fraternity to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ Jesus . .
together with the overseers and deacons" (Phil 1:1)

Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own,
then before proceeding to implement an idea, be very sure to ponder all the
possible ramifications of your actions first; and for sure avoid Machiavellian
thinking that asserts the end justifies the means. Also to be avoided is the
tiresome excuse that what you're doing is for the greater good; which has a
lot in common with collectivism wherein the individual is marginalized and
has little to no value.

Stepping on people's toes, and/or thwarting their ideas so that yours prevail,
fails to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires his followers to have the
same care for their fellows as Christ cares for them (John 15:12). It also
fails to satisfy the Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others
what you would have them do to you. (Matt 7:12). Always looking out for
No.1 just simply isn't very nice.
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207» Phil 2:5-8 . .Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a
man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a
cross.

That's an interesting contrast between Christ and Adam. He and his wife
made a definite grab for equality with God. (Gen 3:4-5)

It's just amazing how well Christ played down his origin and conducted
himself as a common man. Even the people with whom Jesus grew up in his
home town were highly doubtful Jesus was so well connected because there
was really nothing particularly distinctive about him to indicate he was a
divine aristocrat.

● Isa 53:2 . .There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.

● John 6:42 . .They said: Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father
and mother we know? How can he now say: I came down from heaven?

And his cousin John, whom he'd known since childhood, had no clue that
Jesus was the very person for whom he was the forerunner.

● John 1:33 . . I would not have known him, except that the one who sent
me to baptize with water told me:

During the thirty years leading up to Jesus' public ministry, he could've
easily made a name for himself, but didn't because that wasn't his superior's
time for it.

● John 6:38 . . I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but
the will of Him who sent me.

Point being: we should avoid striving to be the big man on campus; so to
speak.
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208» Do everything without grumbling or debating

It used to be an unwritten rule in the US Army that GIs could complain all
they wanted just so long as they did what they were told. Well; Christ isn't
pleased with that.

● Col 3:23 . .Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for men.

The problem with grumbling is that it's an attitude of rebellion; for example:

● Num 21:5-6 . . And the people spoke against God and Moses saying: Why
have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no
food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.

Well; long story short, God dealt with the people's grumbling by sending a
swarm of deadly reptiles among them, and many were bitten and died
because the venom wasn't just lethal, it was 100% fatal.

The Greek word translated "debating" is sometimes translated "evil
thoughts" for example:

● Matt 15:19 . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Evil thoughts sometimes keep people awake at night as they obsessively re
wind and re-play a conflict with somebody over, and over, and over again in
their heads.
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[The_old_guy]

~
208» Do everything without grumbling or debating

It used to be an unwritten rule in the US Army that GIs could complain all
they wanted just so long as they did what they were told. Well; Christ isn't
pleased with that.

● Col 3:23 . .Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for men.

The problem with grumbling is that it's an attitude of rebellion; for example:

● Num 21:5-6 . . And the people spoke against God and Moses saying: Why
have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no
food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.

Well; long story short, God dealt with the people's grumbling by sending a
swarm of deadly reptiles among them, and many were bitten and died
because the venom wasn't just lethal, it was 100% fatal.

The Greek word translated "debating" is sometimes translated "evil
thoughts" for example:

● Matt 15:19 . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Evil thoughts sometimes keep people awake at night as they obsessively re
wind and re-play a conflict with somebody over, and over, and over again in
their heads.
_

But there is also complaining in faith when one's circumstances seem to contradict God's promises (almost half of the Psalms, Job 3, 7, 10, Habakkuk, Jeremiah's Lamentations, etc.).

 

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209» Phil 3:1 . . Finally, my brethren, rejoice in The Lord!

The Greek word for "brethren" is a masculine noun for a male relative. But
its use is flexible, e.g. when Paul wrote to a church, he oftentimes used
brethren to address the entire congregation-- sort of like the word Man
speaks of the whole of humanity regardless of age, race, and/or gender.

Rejoicing "in The Lord" is way different than rejoicing in yourself; which is
vulnerable to one's mood and/or circumstances. The Lord once told his
disciples that they shouldn't rejoice that demons obeyed them; but that their
names were written in Heaven. (Luke 10:20)

● Col 3:1-4 . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your
hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set
your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your
life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory.

That passage could be said to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say:
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
(Horatio P. Spafford, 1828-1888)
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210» Phil 3:2a . . Beware of dogs,

The dogs we're talking about here are treacherous. (Matt 7:6)

We're looking at a class of rather impious folk who not only don't want to
hear what you have to say, but will take drastic steps if necessary to insure
you have no say; using methods like censoring, canceling, shouting, bull horns,
spurious legal procedures, imprisonment, slander, a hoax, and even
assassination, i.e. whatever it takes to thwart your influence, destroy your
credibility, and suppress your thoughts. For example Jesus' opponents
among the Jews.

"Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have
pierced my hands and my feet." (Ps 22:16)

Jesus' opponents were counting on trumped-up charges and execution to
silence him once and for all while never dreaming he would become even
more effective by his resurrection. But this gives us an idea of how low that
dogs are willing to go in order to accomplish their ends.

Dogs turn up again at Rev 22:15 as unfit to enter the holy city; possibly
because of the uncivilized nature of their conduct. In other words: they're a
very real and present danger to decent folks; especially to the genuinely
God-fearing elements of society.
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211» Phil 3:2b . . Beware of evil workers

"evil workers" probably refers to ersatz missionaries like Mormons and
Jehovah's Witnesses. In the apostles' day, it was followers of Judaism going
about disputing with Christians. (e.g. Acts 15:1)
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[Knowledged]

His commandments aren't a list of rules like under the old covenant. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” His word is the New Testament. We obey His commandments by walking in the truth submitting to the Holy Spirit's sovereignty.

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

 

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212» Phil 3:2c . . Beware of mutilation.

Mutilation in this particular instance isn't criminal mischief, rather; it refers
to voluntary ritual circumcision; viz: initiation into the covenant that Moses'
people agreed upon with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy. There were Jews in various cities back in the apostles' era
telling Christians that protection from the sum of all fears depends upon
circumcision.

● Acts 15:1 . . And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the
brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye
cannot be saved.

The apostles disagreed.

● Acts 15:24 . . Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out
from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye
must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such
commandment:

The primary reason the apostles disagreed is simply because Christians don't
associate with God via Moses' covenant, rather; they associate with God via
a new covenant.
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213» Phil 3:17 . . Join with others in following my example, brothers, and
take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I
have often told you before, and now say, again even with tears: many live
as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is
their appetites, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly
things.

* The Greek word translated "brothers" technically pertains to one's male kin
or to one's fellow members of a college fraternity or an outlaw biker club
like The Mongols. However, when Paul wrote to congregations, his use of the
word commonly pertained to both genders sort of like how "man" pertains to
both genders as they are defined in the early chapters of Genesis. (e.g. Gen 5:1-2)

The Greek word translated "appetites" not only refers to one's tummy, but
also the natural urges everyone experiences due to human nature. Natural
urges are a force to be reckoned with. For example: libido is just as strong
a motivation for marriage as it is for adultery. Hunger is just as strong a
motivation for nourishment as it is for gluttony. Ambition is just as strong a
motivation for honest success as it is for fraud.

"glory" is somewhat ambiguous. It can indicate illumination and it can
indicate credit where credit is due. For example the universe proclaims the
glory of God, i.e. it speaks of intelligent design without par. But when a
politician throws scruples to the wind and achieves office by dishonest
means, they have nothing to brag about, i.e. they're a disgrace; and
sometimes even downright criminal.
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214» Phil 4:4 . . Rejoice in the Lord always. I say again: Rejoice!

Words and grammar in the Bible convey information; otherwise language
serves no useful purpose. When the apostle Paul says "always" he means
always or he wouldn't say it like that. So then, part-time rejoicing in The
Lord fails to comply.

Now the thing is: rejoicing in The Lord is not the same as rejoicing in life. In
point of fact, there's really not all that much to be perpetually happy about
in life on earth.

● Ecc 1:2-3 . . Utter futility! --said Koheleth-- Utter futility! All is futile! What
real value is there for a man in all the gains he makes beneath the sun?

We can name lots of things in life that bring us happiness and satisfaction,
but it's all fleeting, i.e. it's all temporary, viz: transient. There's very little
that brings us lasting happiness and satisfaction. And then on top of that,
there's the specter of death; viz: it's only a matter of time when our life on
earth-- everything we've accomplished, everything we've accumulated, and
everyone we've ever known --is separated from us like a young military
recruit's hair falling to the floor in a Marine Corps barber shop.

The negativity of life on earth can be greatly moderated by always keeping
one's eye on the future as it's revealed in the teachings of Christianity's lord
and master.

● John 15:11 . .These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might
remain in you, and that your own joy might be full.

● John 16:33 . . I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome
the world.

For example: the current political situation in my country is rapidly approaching
critical mass, so to speak. It's as if The Lord has sent a myriad of evil spirits
into the minds of many of America's movers and shakers similar to what He
did with Saul in the book of 1Samuel. How our situation eventually plays out
is anybody's guess but at least we are assured that no matter how much worse
things become, none of it will indicate that God is out to harm folks unified with
His son. No; we are but collateral damage forced to endure strong winds of
change thru no fault of our own. (Rom 8:35-39)
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[Godswilling]

1 John 2:3-5
King James Version
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

So what are his commandments?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

God The Father gave his commandments:
DEUTORONOMY: 6:1-6
6 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
2 That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

In Man's understanding, the verse #4 is not a commandment.

But to Jesus, it is a commandment and he fulfilled it:
MATTHEW 5:17
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

And when the Scribe asked Jesus What is The First of All The Commandments.
Jesus Stressed it as the First of All The Commandment;
The two commandments are the Greatest of All The Commandments.
MARK 12:28-33
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, HEAR, O ISRAEL; THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

And The Scribe, who heard the answer of Jesus, suddenly understand the meaning of Hear O Israel, The Lord Our God is One Lord.
The First of All The Commandments is TO KNOW THE ONE TRUE GOD, because there is no other but him only.
And TO KNOW GOD is a pre-requisite of TO LOVE GOD.
MARK 12:32-33
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

And God The Father, To Know Him is what He Longing for.
HOSEA 6:6
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

So The True One God Made a Divine Promise.
Whoever get To Know The One True God will Get Saved.
JEREMIAH 31:34
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

And Jesus repeated The Promised and revealed it to Paul:
HEBREWS 8:11-12
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, KNOW THE LORD: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more

 

[TMS]

And TO KNOW GOD is a pre-requisite of TO LOVE GOD.

To know God is to spend time with Him and talk to Him and to understand His will.

The character of God is a Good place to start.

Studying the life of Jesus and reading the Bible is a good way to know God.

The laws of God are God's rules or His order, or Way of defining good from bad right from wrong.

Righteousness is defined by the laws of God.

Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1Jn 5:2-3
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 

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215» Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Greek word translated "gentleness" basically means mild.

Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action
or effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. mellow; which is just the opposite of fierce,
harsh, rough, scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, reactive
and/or severe.

Though a mild/mellow person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no,
they're just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned,
defensive personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.

Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed
eyes. They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and
threatening. Assertive, confrontational people have no clue what it is to be
mild; and those are the very ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they
obsessively re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody in their heads
over, and over, and over again rehearsing things they should've said, and
would've said, had they thought of them.

● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.

Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then,
what really is meekness?

Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate;
yet firm when necessary. A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk
toast. Anybody who's studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify
that neither of those men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a
big stick, so to speak. Never mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.

Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong
when the situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully,
and never waste anger and energy on trifles.

There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot
live and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no
one takes seriously anymore. For them rivalry, conflict, revenge,
competition, retaliation, recriminations, and grudging are a way of life: every
disagreement is an act of war-- they're peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh,
unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and reactive; and they thrive on complaining,
criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault, tattling, bickering, retort upon
retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm, endless debate, dredging up old
unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting in people's faces and giving
them a piece of their mind.

It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty
outrage or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the
"gentle" category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their
wrath be evident to all instead of gentleness because when they're upset;
they want everybody to know it.
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216» Phil 4:8 . . Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such
things.

I think we may take Phil 4:8 to mean that Christ's followers should make an
effort to remember the Bible's values and its principles, i.e. not let them go
in one ear and out the other; which is somewhat similar to Deut 11:18-20
where Moses' people were urged to make use of every opportunity to
meditate upon God's ways so as not to forget them and thus neglect their
practice.
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