x. Are forgiving people. Matthew 6:14
y. Seek justice through proper authorities as taught in Romans 13.
z. Do not testify in a dispute in a way that perverts justice. Exodus 23:2
aa. Do not hide sin. “Purge evil from among you.” Deut 13:5; 17:7,12; 19:19; 21:18-21; 22:20-24; 24:7; Judges 20:13 NIV. Note: Instead of living with evil within the church and society, God has clearly given us instructions to purge the evil from among us. No exceptions.
bb. Are a new creation [key to salvation] in Christ. Galatians 6:15
cc. Are a witness for Christ [that GOD IS TRUE]. Acts 1:8
dd. Get their praise from God as a [real] Jew, not from men. Romans 2:29
ee. Understand that hell is a real place just like heaven. Matthew 10:28
ff. Understand that “the soul who sins shall die” [Ezekiel 18:4; Luke 13:3; Romans 2:12; Romans 6:23 (wages of sin is death); 2 Thess 2:10]
3. God’s commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 Note: God expects us to keep all of His commandments with a heart that actually fears Him [Deuteronomy 5:29]. Fear in this situation is exactly what it means. Real fear that a real God actually does exist and will eventually deal with evil and wicked people. Fear is a believer’s incentive to “really obey” God. Real Christians have this fear; but their love for God transcends this fear in practical living as “perfect love casts out all fear.” 1 John 4:18 “He who fears has not been made perfect in love.” When you start to live it, then you will understand it.
a. “The fear of the Lord [God] is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” Psalm 111:10
b. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But fear Him [God] who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus in Matthew 10:28
4. Whoever keeps the commandments is assured of eternal life. Matthew 19:16-19 And, “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19
a. Note: Many preachers today teach the idea that God’s commandments no longer apply. They are wrong! Scripture teaches us to obey God’s commandments.
b. “All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets stem from these two laws and are fulfilled if you OBEY them. Keep only these [TWO] and you will find that you are obeying all the others.” Matthew 22:40 [Living]
5. People can be righteous with God if they so choose. “And they [Zacharias & Elizabeth] were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Luke 1:6
6. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as Jesus is righteous. 1 John 3:7 Note: Many Christians have the erroneous idea that they cannot be righteous people. This is poor discernment and shows a lack of real understanding of God’s Word.
7. God has set up a dividing line in history that is at John the Baptist. Before John, the prophets set down the law. From John, the kingdom of God shall be preached. Luke 16:16 Note: The reason Jesus preached the kingdom of God is to make it real to people. If the kingdom of God is real to you, THEN you will repent and change your ways.
