James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
This passage of scripture teaches us that we should not be selective in our obedience to the truths God has revealed in His word, because the little things as well as the larger issues are all important in God's sight. The tendency to view parts of God's word as inspired, and other parts not as relevant, is productive of great evil, and ultimately leads to the error of selective obedience, based on what we may think is important, or what may suit our own fancy. It was this very problem that Christ addressed when speaking to the multitudes of the practice of returning tithe on the smallest of plants, while at the same time neglecting the weightier matters of the law. Let's read:
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you"..... "for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye".... "strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
It is worthy of note that in the above verses, Christ did not say that they should stop returning tithe on the smaller items, in order to address the weightier matters. What He did say is that both should be done, meaning that there should not be a heavy, one-sided interest in certain aspects of the law, to the neglect of others. The instructions thus given carry over to our day, where the same problem has resurfaced in modern Christianity. In our day there is very heavy emphasis on charity and taking care of the poor, a message that has now resonated from the political podium to the pulpit, and is now being heralded by the world's most prominent religious leader, as being the very essence of Christianity.
But while our sacred duty to the less fortunate is being trumpeted across the entire spectrum of Christianity, yet the immutable law of Ten commandments is being thrown out by many Christian organizations, all because the Sabbath of the fourth commandment enjoins upon us obedience to the day which God has blessed. The same tendency of selective obedience can be observed in the trampling of the sacred institution of marriage, by many in the higher echelons of the spiritual arena, whilst charity and forgiveness is being lauded to the high heavens. The message of Christ to the people of His day, is also very relevant to us in our own experience, for He is saying to us, as well as to them, "These things ought ye to have done, and not leave the others undone".
Bernie Madoff was arrested and jailed for the worst Ponzi schemes in America's history, for he was indicted for fraud, embezzlement, and white collar burglary, by which many investors, families, and retirees lost their entire life savings. Yet it was also found that he contributed heavily to several charities and universities, by which many poorer students had opportunity to gain an education. And the verdict from the courts was very much the same as Christ's words to the multitudes back then, "These things ought ye to have done, and not leave the others undone".
In our experience with Christ, let us then be certain not to cultivate the habit of selective obedience, for as our passage for today rightly states, he that is guilty of one is guilty of all. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates this sacred truth, and it is the will of God that from this moment onward, we will take the entire Bible as it reads, applying its sacred laws and principles evenly across the board, through the renewing power of The Holy Ghost, working from the inside out. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!