confirming a long held Jewish perspective.
There was no greater pursuit than to study Torah (God’s
instructions). John also says
that the Word of God (the commandments) are a source of truth.
1 John 2:4
4
He that says I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby we know that we are in him.
6 He that says he abide in him ought himself also so walk, even as he
walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment
which you had from the beginning.
The
old commandment is the commandment which is the word which you have heard
from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and
in you: because the darkest is past, and the true light now shines.
We see that
God’s laws are not an arbitrary harsh set of rules that only Jews have to
follow. Rather they are the
guiding instructions for all of us. If
we follow them, our lives will go better. If we ignore them, our lives do not go as well.
The more we are willing to follow God’s instructions, the better
our lives will be.
Keep in mind,
however, that we are talking about long-term benefit over short-term
gratification. Most of
the laws of God will not seem to be as beneficial in the short term. Is it
better to cheat on an exam and get an “A” or to not cheat and get a
“B” or “C”? Is it
better to steal from someone else so you