Our Lord’s “N” Commandments
by Pastor Mark Taylor
The "N" Commandments are not the "Ten Commandments". Most people have broken many of the "ten". But many more have broken the "N" Commandments.
John 14:21 - “Those that have my commandments and keeps them, it is them that love me, and they that love Me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love Him, and will make myself know to them.”
We all know that our Lord Jesus said: “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: 37-40)
He also said: “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).
But there are also some other things that He told us “Not” to do. I am calling these the “N” commandments. I am taking these thoughts from Pastor Andy Stanley who delivered a series on this subject.
Most of us would say “Yes” to the question: “Do You Love Jesus?”. We know about the 10 commandments given to us in the Old Testament. But there are some specific things that our Lord Jesus told us not to do.
I hope this message will help you to look at some of our habits and attitudes as unpleasing to the Lord. We need to ask for forgiveness and begin working on improving the things that the Holy Spirit shows us that do not have to be a part of the Christian life. We may not even be aware that these are things we can and should change. It will require that you read and re-read our Lord’s Words to us in the Gospels. It will require that you read more books and listen to more sermons on Faith and Trust. It will require prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Our Lord gave us five things “not” to do to live the victorious Christian life regardless of external circumstances. In a sense they are commandments because He said we are not to do these five things.
“Fear Not” - “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered, Fear not you are more valuable than many sparrows who are not forgotten by God.” (Luke 12:6-8).
Fear is the opposite of Faith. It can cause mental and physical diseases. It can lead to anger and even hate. Fear has it’s root in be afraid of not having enough or in not being enough. “Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the Earth.” (Colossians 3:2). There are many good Christian books that can help you in overcoming fear.
“Worry Not” - “Therefore I say unto you. Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, or for your body, what you shall wear…..” Matthew 6:25-34.
The main issue about worry is Do you believe God can take care of you? Worry is about seeking things of tomorrow. God wants you to seek Him today. When you start to worry about tomorrow, begin to participate in God’s kingdom today. There are things God needs for you to do for others today.
“Sin Not” - “I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over 99 just persons which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7).
“…Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11).
Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. If God has shown you things that are wrong in your life, you need to stop. God will forgive you of your past sins and He has died for your future sins. But this does not give you a license to sin or exempt you from the consequences of sin.
“Judge Not” - “Judge not, that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
Two reasons that we judge other people are that we are either jealous or self righteous. When we take the plank out of our eyes, we can see clearly to help others to be better to.
“Doubt Not” - “Have faith in God…and doubt not…” (Mark 11:22-23)
You will never know what God would have done for and through you if you let doubt take you out. Doubt asks: “Is it true?” and “Is it worth it?” Those that know our Lord Jesus as their personal Savior should ask as Peter did: “Lord to whom can we go, You have the Words of Life?”. (John 6:68).
I hope this message will encourage you to focus your thoughts on your eternal future instead of the circumstances in our country or society. We have little or no control over national or global events. We do have however, control over our relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is our hope.
These “commands” are meant to help us in our relationship with the Lord, not to condemn us. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17.
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
