All God's commandments

Summed up in: Love each other.

Love fulfills the Law.

-Romans 13:8-10

I have a wonderful, Christian friend who, over the last few years, has come to the decision that she and her family should be more closely following the Jewish traditions and commandments laid out in the Old Testament. She's not only a Christian, but is baptized in the Holy Ghost as well. My conscience does not lead me in the same direction as hers has led her, but I believe she is seeking to please God in all she does.

When I read verses like this in Romans 13, I think of her. It is not a bad thing to keep the Ten Commandments. It's necessary! But it is also important to understand why we keep them. It is because the Law is an expression of God's love. It is a detailed description of how mankind should behave toward one another if they want to be like God.

Observing Jewish feasts and taking your Sabbath rest on Saturday are not bad things. But everything that God has commanded will have a connection to the commandment Jesus gave:

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. - John 15:12 

All scripture is for our instruction and example. Understand the connection to love will allow you to keep the command as God intended. Love is of the heart. In every part of your Christian walk look for the love connection. How is this helping me grow in love toward my neighbor? Answering that question will cause godly growth in your life.

Germinate: Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, Matthew 5:22-48