ARE THEY REALLY THAT DIFFICULT?

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Most Christians are aware that keeping their Lord’s commands is essential to their salvation.  The verses that teach this simple point could fill the rest of this article.  It was Jesus who said:  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).  Jesus also spoke these words:  “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  In that same chapter, Jesus also proclaimed:  “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me…” (John 14:21).  The Hebrew writer tells us that Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 8:9).  Then in the closing chapter of the Revelation, John records these words:  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).  Yes, keeping our Master’s commands is absolutely essential to obtaining our eternal reward.

          When it comes to keeping the Lord’s commands, we often act like they are the most difficult things in the world to keep.  The word “difficult” is defined as:  “not easily or readily done.”  It also carries this definition:  “requiring much labor, skill, or planning to be performed successfully.”  As this writer contemplates the commands of the Christ, there are only a handful that would really fall into the category of “difficult.”  Bible study could fall into the “difficult” category.  Loving one’s enemies is also something that is not that readily done.  Too, we might find it difficult to forgive an individual, especially if that person has wounded us deeply.

However, most of the Lord’s commands are simple to do.  The Bible commands us to pray.  “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).  In order to do this, all we have to do is speak to our Father in heaven.  There is no special time or place required.  There is not a formal prayer that must be said in order to arouse the Father’s attention.  The moment the child of God speaks to God, God hears.  The Bible also commands us to attend the worship services.  “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).  Most worship services on Sunday are somewhere between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.  This is an hour or two later than most people go to work.  All the Christian has to do is get up, get dressed, and drive to the church building.  Once there, he/she has to sit in a pew for a couple of hours.  He might have to stand during a prayer.  He might have to bow his head in prayer.  He will have to sing along to several songs.  He is served the Lord’s Supper.  The collection plate is brought to the place where he is sitting so he can drop in his offering.  Then, he has to pay attention to a sermon from God’s Word.  Hard to do?  Not hardly.

Some people will make statements like this:  “It is hard for me not to cuss.”  As a minister, this has always intrigued me.  The reason is because those who tell me this do not cuss in front of me.  It must not be that difficult.  All they need to do is act like everyone they meet is a preacher.  In Colossians 3:8, Paul lists five sins.  One of them is “filthy communication out of your mouth.”  Here is what he tells us to do with these sins.  “But now ye also put off all these…”  Paul says to put them off.  The action is like unto the removal of a coat.  We are to take them off and set them aside.  Paul gives a similar command in Ephesians 4:29.  He first forbids “corrupt communication.”  He, then, exhorts us to use our communication in a different way.  “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that is may minister grace unto the hearers.”  Instead of filthy language, the person needs to speak positive, wholesome, and encouraging words. 

Another statement that some people make is this:  “It is so hard to talk to people about the gospel.”  In Acts 8, we read about the early church located in the city of Jerusalem.  Persecution broke out against them.  “…they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…” (v. 1).  In verse 4, they provide us with an evangelistic example.  “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”  This example is given to encourage us to preach the word as well.  But, many believe that it is too hard to do.  The reality is that the only difficult part is overcoming our fears.  Once a person does that, the rest is easy.  Here are three simple approaches.  First, simply ask someone to study the Bible with you.  Tell them that you enjoy studying God’s Word.  Then, ask them:  “Would you like to study with me sometime?”  A second approach involves a different question.  Just ask your family member or friend:  “Is there anything in the Bible you do not understand?”  If they are religious, they often have some questions.  Make a list of them.  Do some research and provide them with simple answers that will help them understand the truth.  In time, this could result in a Bible study.  A third approach involves yet another question.  “Where do you attend worship services?”  When they have told you, respond with this question:  “Why do you go there?”  Most people enjoy talking about their religions.  In the course of time, you can ask about certain doctrines they teach.  You can also give them Bible verses and ask them what those verses mean to them.  Slowly you might create enough doubt to cause them to want to study with you.

Yes, we are prone to make many things extremely difficult.  If they are “difficult,” we believe that we have an excuse to opt out of that command.  Not so!  Jesus said:  “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:  but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19).  None of God’s commands are to be neglected or violated.  All of them are important.  The reality is that most of them are not difficult to do.  We have to develop the will to do them.  The next time you are tempted to transgress one of God’s commands, ask yourself:  “Is this really that difficult?”