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Applying God's Commands for Deeper Relationship with Him

Applying God's commands is presented in biblical texts and theological traditions as a fundamental aspect of developing a deeper relationship with Him, often serving as an expression of love and a pathway to blessing and spiritual growth. The Old Testament frequently links obedience to God's commands with life, blessing, and a perfect heart [1, 4]. For instance, Deuteronomy 30:16 commands the Israelites to "love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you" [1]. Similarly, Numbers 15:40 states that remembering and doing God's commandments leads to holiness [3].

This connection between obedience and relationship is not merely transactional but is deeply rooted in love. Torrey's Topical Textbook identifies "love to God" as the "first great commandment" (Matthew 22:38) and notes that it is "exhibited by Christ" and is a "characteristic of saints" [6]. This love is produced by the Holy Spirit and by God's love for humanity [6]. A key manifestation of this love is obedience: "Obedience to God" is listed as a product of love to God, and love is "perfected in obedience" [6]. The New Testament reinforces this, with Jesus stating, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15) [11, 14]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 John 5:3, explains that "keeping of the commandments of God is an evidence of love to God; this shows that love is not in word and tongue, in profession only, but in deed and in truth" [12]. He further notes that such obedience, stemming from a sense of God's love, can lead to "greater manifestations of the love of God" [12].

The act of keeping God's commandments is not portrayed as a burdensome task but as a source of delight and a path to spiritual understanding. The Psalmist declares, "I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes" (Psalm 119:48) [2]. John Gill interprets this gesture of lifting hands as showing "great esteem of them, and affection for them," and potentially signifying an "earnest desire and request that he might have grace and spiritual strength to enable him to observe them" [13]. The Psalmist also expresses delight in the law of God and the commandments of Christ, noting that they "are not grievous" [15]. This perspective suggests that obedience, when motivated by love, transforms from obligation into joyful participation in God's will.

Christian conduct, as outlined in Torrey's Topical Textbook, encompasses a range of actions that reflect a deeper relationship with God, including believing God, fearing God, loving God, following God, and obeying God [7]. It also extends to believing in Christ, loving Christ, following Christ's example, and obeying Christ [7]. This comprehensive view of Christian conduct underscores that applying God's commands is not limited to a set of rules but involves a holistic orientation of one's life towards God and Christ.

Seeking God is another command that contributes to a deeper relationship. This includes seeking His name, His word, His face, His strength, His commandments, His precepts, His kingdom, and His righteousness [8]. This seeking is to be done through prayer and in His house, and it should be immediate and earnest [8]. Delighting in God is also commanded (Psalm 37:4) and is linked to reconciliation, observing the Sabbath, and communion with God [9]. This delight is experienced in the law of God, His goodness, and His comforts [9].

The New Testament further clarifies the role of obedience in knowing God. Tyndale House's commentary on 1 John 2:3-6 states that "Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him" [16]. This perspective emphasizes that obedience is not merely an external act but an internal indicator of one's spiritual state and relationship with God. Furthermore, it suggests that "as we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity" [16]. This growth leads to living "as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others" [16].

The concept of love is central to understanding the application of God's commands. Love to God is the "end of the commandment" (1 Timothy 1:5) and is considered the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) [10]. This love is not only for God but also extends to love for others, which is "of God," "commanded by God," and "commanded by Christ" [10]. It is a fruit of the Spirit and is taught by God [10]. This interconnectedness highlights that obedience to God's commands, driven by love, fosters a deeper relationship not only with God but also with fellow human beings, reflecting the comprehensive nature of God's law.

John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, emphasizes the necessity of "works and actions, not a mere show of words" in demonstrating love for Christ and keeping His commandments [14]. He connects this obedience to the promise of the Holy Spirit, who acts as a Comforter, impressing these truths upon believers [14]. This suggests that the ability to keep God's commands and deepen one's relationship with Him is empowered by divine assistance. The ultimate goal of this obedience, rooted in love, is to be "knit together in love, even unto all the riches of the full assurance of their understanding, unto a personal knowledge of the sacred secret of God,—Christ" (Colossians 2:2) [5]. This verse points to a profound, intimate knowledge of Christ as the culmination of a life lived in obedience and love.

Sources

  1. Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 30:16 (BSB) — For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.”
  2. Psalms “I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. -- Psalms 119:48”
  3. Numbers “that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. -- Numbers 15:40”
  4. I Kings “I Kings 8:61 (Geneva1599) — Let your heart therefore be perfit with the Lord our God to walke in his statutes, and to keepe his commandements, as this day.”
  5. Colossians “Colossians 2:2 (Rotherham) — In order that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, even unto all the riches of the full assurance of their understanding, unto a personal knowledge of the sacred secret of God,—Christ:”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to God — Commanded -- De 11:1; Jos 22:5. The first great commandment -- Mt 22:38. With all the heart -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Better than all sacrifices -- Mr 12:33. Produced by The Holy Spirit. -- Ga 5:22; 2Th 3:5. The love of God to us. -- 1Jo 4:19. Answers to prayer. -- Ps 116:1. Exhibited by Christ -- Joh 14:31. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 5:11. Should produce Joy. -- Ps 5:11. Love to saints. -- 1Jo 5:1. Hatred of sin. -- Ps 97:10. Obedience to God. -- De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3. Perfected in obedience -- 1Jo 2:5. Perfected, gives boldness -- 1Jo 4:17,18. God, faith”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Seeking God — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7. Includes seeking His Name. -- Ps 83:16. His word. -- Isa 34:16. His face. -- Ps 27:8; 105:4. His strength. -- 1Ch 16:11; Ps 105:4. His commandments. -- 1Ch 28:8; Mal 2:7. His precepts. -- Ps 119:45,94. His kingdom. -- Mt 6:33; Lu 12:31. His righteousness. -- Mt 6:33. Christ. -- Mal 3:1; Lu 2:15,16. Honour which comes from him. -- Joh 5:44. Justification by Christ. -- Ga 2:16,17. The city which God has prepared. -- Heb 11:10,16; 13:14. By prayer -- Job 8:5; Da 9:3. In his house -- De 12:5; Ps 27:4. Should be Immediate. -- H”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Delighting In God — Commanded -- Ps 37:4. Reconciliation leads to -- Job 22:21,26. Observing the sabbath leads to -- Isa 58:13,14. Saints' experience in Communion with God. -- Song 2:3. The law of God. -- Ps 1:1; 119:24,35. The goodness of God. -- Ne 9:25. The comforts of God. -- Ps 94:19. Hypocrites Pretend to. -- Isa 58:2. In heart despise. -- Job 27:10; Jer 6:10. Promises to. -- Ps 37:4. Blessedness. -- Ps 112:1.”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Man — Is of God -- 1Jo 4:7. Commanded by God -- 1Jo 4:21. Commanded by Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; 1Jo 3:23. After the example of Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; Eph 5:2. Taught by God -- 1Th 4:9. Faith works by -- Ga 5:6. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22; Col 1:8. Purity of heart leads to -- 1Pe 1:22. Explained -- 1Co 13:4-7. Is an active principle -- 1Th 1:3; Heb 6:10. Is an abiding principle -- 1Co 13:8,13. Is the second great commandment -- Mt 22:37-39. Is the end of the commandment -- 1Ti 1:5. Supernatural gifts are nothing without -- 1Co 13:1,2. The greates”
  11. John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 14:15: Christ not only proposes such things to them as were the matter of their comfort, but here promises to send the Spirit, whose office it should be to be their Comforter, to impress these things upon them. I. He premises to this a memento of duty (Joh 14:15): If you love me, keep my commandments. Keeping the commandments of Christ is here put for the practice of godliness in general, and for the faithful and diligent discharge of their office as apostles in particular. Now observe, 1. When Christ is comforting them, he bids them keep his commandments; for we must not”
  12. 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 5:3: For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments,.... Keeping of the commandments of God is an evidence of love to God; this shows that love is not in word and tongue, in profession only, but in deed and in truth; and that such persons have a sense of the love of God upon their souls, under the influence of which they act; and such shall have, and may expect to have, greater manifestations of the love of God unto them: and his commandments are not grievous; heavy, burdensome, and disagreeable; by which are meant, not so much the precepts of the moral law, w”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:46: My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved,.... Showing by such a gesture his great esteem of them, and affection for them; stretching out his hands, and embracing them with both arms, as it were: and this being a praying gesture, Ti2 2:8, may signify his earnest desire and request that he might have grace and spiritual strength to enable him to observe them; and it being used in swearing, Gen 14:22, may express his firm resolution in the strength of divine grace to keep them; and the phrase signifying a doing or an attempt to do anything”
  14. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Homily LXXV. John xiv. 15–17 “If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him.” 2138 2138 “But ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be with you.” N.T. [1.] We need everywhere works and actions, not a mere show of words. For to say and to promise is easy for any one, but to act is not equally easy. Why have I made these remarks? Because there ar”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:33: Make me to go in the path of thy commandments,.... Lead, guide, direct me in the path, and use me to it; work in me both to will and to do; give both ability and a willing mind to walk therein; by granting fresh supplies of grace, and more spiritual strength; by drawing with the cords of love, and by putting in him the good spirit of grace, to cause to walk in the statutes of the Lord, and keep his judgments and do them, Eze 36:27; for therein do I delight; in the law of God, after the inward man; in the commandments of Christ, which are not grievous; in wisdom's ”
  16. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
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