ALIASES FOR THE WORD

THE BIBLE AS GOD'S COMMANDS

The Word, according to the inspired Psalmist, is the Commands of the Lord.  Psalm 119 verse 4.  Ordinarily, this seven-letter word 'command' is generally associated with the military profession.  One thing most people have always wanted to know is, why, unlike in any other area of life, the command-obey tradition has persisted in the military profession.  The reason may not be far-fetched.  In a war situation, it is generally acknowledged that there can be no time for a long drawn questioning of the military commander by the troops as to why certain commands were given.

Without the shadow of a doubt, in the heat of battle, any soldier who thinks he or she can successfully query the commands of a superior officer may end up being court-martialled for sabotaging the war effort.  The important thing in war is fighting and winning the war.  This is why the quality of leadership in the military is usually high.  Commanding officers are expected to know what they are doing.  This is because, in war, the lives of others will ultimately depend on the quality of the commander's leadership and the commands he gives.  Mistakes by commanders could prove costly as these may allow the enemy to make considerable gains, which could eventually cause the war to be lost. 

In the same way, as a spiritual being, man is engaged in spiritual warfare at all times, whether or not he is aware of it.  Come to think of it, the war against man is indirectly the war against God.  Lucifer (now Satan) started the war in heaven.  However, another front in the war was opened when this enemy of God and man sauntered into Eden and caused the fall of man.  Thus began the conflict of the ages.

The first thing that God does is that He enlists a fallen humanity into His army through repentance and the new birth.  These He does through the following commands:

1. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ''Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'' Matthew 4 verse 17.

2. ''Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

The second thing the Almighty does is that He trains His army.  This He does through the following commands:

1. 'Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement.' Hebrews 6 verses 1 and 2.

2. 'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' Ephesians 6 verses 10, 11 and 12.

The third thing that God does is that He deploys His army.  This He does through the following commands:

1. 'Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10 verses 5 and 6.

2. 'You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.' 2 Timothy 2 verses 3 and 4. 

The earth remains a theatre of war, from the moment of birth, man is at war spiritually.  His very life, joy, victory, peace, confidence, abundance, progress and steadfastness are all constantly being assailed by the enemy of his soul.  This is something that continues for the duration of his earthly sojourn.  The Almighty God knows quite well the terrain of the war and the positions of the enemy.  Considering that He Himself is mighty in battle, He gave us the bible.

We may not always understand why He gives certain commands in the Word.  Ours, as Christians, is to obey as we cannot afford to query His commands.  The bible contains the commands that we need to advance and be victorious in the warfare that we are engaged in for as long as we live.  We disobey or query these commands or orders at our own peril.  It is certain that in this war, the chances are that we will be outgunned, out-manoeuvred and overpowered should we disobey or ignore the commands of our great Commander.