Too Much or Too Little?

Sometimes you look at the Old Testament and there seems to be an awful lot of unnecessary details. You come to one of these points in the O.T. and you either skip ahead or fall asleep.

Why does there need to be so many details?

The only answer I can think of is that we need it. We are a forgetful people who are prone to laziness (at least I am), and if we are to do something complete and correct, we need the exhaustive details.

Take this verse:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” ~Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV)

So…love God and love people. Love God and love people and you’ll end up living the life you ought. Seems simple enough, and it’s easy to remember.

But, as easy it is for me to commit to memory, it is just as easy for me to “un-commit” to memory.

Are there not more details; more specific instructions and commands for me to follow?

Yes.

Is it necessary for me to know all these specific commands?

If I want to do things right and thoroughly–yes.

Is Christianity all about following rules?

No, but if I want to have the mind and heart of Christ, I need to know His heart, and what it is He expects of me.

Am I able to keep all His commands?

By His grace–yes.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?…”~Luke 6:46 (NKJV)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven…”~Matthew 7:21 (NKJV)

Need more details?
Here are 50 commands of Jesus:

1 Don’t call Jesus Lord when you don’t obey Him. Lk 6:46, Mt 7:21.
2 Build on the rock of obedience to Jesus otherwise you will fall. Mt 7:24-27, Lk 6:47-49.
3 Worship God alone. Mt 4:10b, Lk 4:8.
4 Follow Jesus. Mt 4:19, 11:28-30, Mk 1:17, Jn 1:43,12:26, 10:27, 21:22b.
5 Be salt and light to this world. Mt 5:13-16 Mk 9:50, Lk 11:33, 14:34. Jn 3:21.
6 Don’t call your brother a fool. Mt 5:22, 12:36.
7 Practice instant reconciliation. Mt 5:24-25.
8 Do not look with lust at another this is adultery in the heart. Mt 5:27-28.
9 Do not divorce and marry another, this is adultery. Mt 5:32, 19:9, Mk 10:11-12.
10 Don’t swear an oath. Mt 5:33-37.
11 Do more than expected, go the 2nd mile. Mt 5:38-41.
12 Give to those that ask. Mt 5:42, Lk 6:30, 38.
13 Love, bless and pray for your enemies. Mt 5:43-48, Lk 6:27-29.
14 Quietly do good for God’s praise alone. Mt 6:1-4.
15 When you pray, fast or give do it secretly. Mt 6:5-6.
16 Don’t use vain repetitions when praying. Mt 6:7-8, Mk 12:40.
17 Pray to God the Father. Mt 6:9, Jn 16:23-24.
18 Don’t be anxious. Mt 6:25-32, Lk 12:22-30, Jn14:1, 16:33.
19 Store your riches in heaven not on earth. Mt 6:19-21, 33, Lk 12:21, 31-34, Jn 12:25.
20 Judge not that you may not be judged. Mt 7:1-5, Lk 6:37, 41-42, Jn 7:24.
21 Keep asking, seeking and knocking. Mt 6:9-11, 7:7-11, Lk 11:9-13.
22 Treat others as you like to be treated. Mt 7:12, Lk 6:31.
23 Don’t waste time on argumentative people. Mt 7:6.
24 Forgive others. Mt 6:12, 14-15, 18:21, Mk 11:25-26, Lk 11:9-13.
25 Let the dead bury their dead. Mt 8:22, Lk 9:6a.
26 Don’t fear people-fear God. Mt 10:28, 16:23, Lk 12:4-5.
27 Confess Christ before men. Mt 10:32-33, Mk 5:19, 8:38, Lk 9:26, 12:8-9.
28 Take up your cross. Mt 10:38-39, 16:24-26, Mk 8:34-37, Lk 9:23-26, 14:26-33.
29 Beware of hypocrisy and greed. Mt 15:6-9, 23:28, Lk 6:41-42, 12:1b, 20:46-47.
30 Privately rebuke a brother and if he repents forgive him. Mt 18:15, Lk 17:3-4.
31 Pay your taxes and give to God what is his. Mt 22:21, Mk 12:17, Lk 20:25, 21:4.
32 Love God and others. Mt 22:37-40, Mk 12:30-31, Lk 10:27, Jn 15:12, 13:34-35.
33 Keep alert and watch for the 2nd coming. Mt 24:44,46, 50-51, Mk 14:62, Lk 12:35-40, 21:27-28.
34 Honour God with all that you have been given. Mt 25:14-31, Lk 18:18.
35 Minister to others as you would to Jesus Himself. Mt 25:34-46.
36 Preach the Gospel and teach obedience. Mt 28:20, Mk 16:15, Lk 9:60b, Jn 21:15b, 16b, 17b.
37 Repent of your sins. Mk 1:15, Lk 13:3,5, Lk 15:7,10, 18-24.
38 Believe in Jesus Mk 16:16, Lk 9:35, Jn 12:36, 6:29, 20:29, 14:6.
39 Have child like faith. Mk 10:15, Lk 18:17, Mt 9:29.
40 Don’t sell things in God’s house. Mk 11:15-17, Jn 2:16.
41 Rejoice when you are persecuted. Lk 6:22-23.
42 Don’t be distracted from hearing God’s Word. Lk 10:38-42.
43 Act with compassion and not prejudice towards others. Lk 10:30-37.
44 Invite the poor to eat with you. Lk 14:13-14.
45 Humble yourself & take the lowest position Lk 14:8-11, 18:13-14, Mt 23:12, 19:30.
46 You must be born again. Jn 3:3, Jn 3:5-8.
47 Live in Me and live in My love. Jn 8:31-32, Jn 15:4, 9
48 Don’t covet your bother’s blessing Lk 12:13-15, 15:29-30
49 Be baptised Mt 29:19, Mk 16:16
50 Strive for perfection Mt 5:48, Jn 15:14

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