The following sections of this text will deal with several related issues:

The necessity for keeping Christ's commandments if we intend to abide in Him and He in us.

The lies Antichrist has injected into Christian thinking in order to prevent us from keeping Christ's commandments.

The spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles—God's provision for His people as the tares of lawlessness come to maturity.

Abiding in Christ Through Keeping His Commandments

As we have already stated, the current Christian doctrine maintains that while we should do what the Bible says, it is not absolutely necessary to live righteously because we are saved by grace.

One of the first major declarations of the Lord Jesus is as follows:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)

It is maintained that this word of Jesus no longer applies because now we are saved by grace. Some are claiming that the commandments of the Lord Jesus in the four Gospel accounts apply only to Jews.

What about the requirement of being born again? This is found in the Gospel of John. Was this addressed only to Jews?

What about abiding in the vine and the other parables, such as the parable of the sower? Are these addressed only to Jews?

Are we being consistent and scriptural when we maintain the commandments of Jesus are not binding on Christians?

The original sin was that of disobeying God's commandment that Adam and Eve not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They suffered terribly and mankind after them because of one simple act of disobedience.

Now it is being taught we do not have to obey God. If we will believe in the Lord Jesus we no longer have to obey God. It no longer is required of us that we keep His commandments.

The Lord Jesus obeyed His Father's commandments but we do not have to. Does this make sense when we are His brothers and sons of the same Father?

For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. (John 12:49)

Is it true that the Lord Jesus obeyed the Father so we do not have to?

If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)

Does this statement of Jesus apply to Christians?

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. (John 14:21)

Does this statement apply to Christian believers?

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."" (John 14:23)

Is it true we must obey the teaching of the Lord Jesus if the Father is to love us and if the Father and the Son are to make Their abode with us?

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. (John 15:10)

To be continued.