God's Better Way

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." ~ John 14:15

As Jesus talked to the people, He taught them in the simplest way on how we can break His Holy precepts by the little acts, which we thought was just a minor thing, and God will not consider them as sin. He wants us to understand that obeying the Ten Commandments will make our life happy. He seemed to be saying, “I know a better way for you to live. And if you will try My way – God’s way, you will be so much happier and you will have peace. His way, was the way of love.?

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, “Raca or Worthless”, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:21-22) Obviously, to kill is a sin. But an angry feeling against our brother, which was not given much notice, is also breaking the sixth commandment. In fact, Jesus said, just calling your brother a fool is displeasing to God. Why? Because it is not the way of love.?

Love is kind, gentle, polite, forgiving. Boys and girls with love in their hearts will never say or do mean things to other children, but will do and say things to make them happy. Again, Jesus said, “Ye have said that it hath been said by them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself…. But I say unto you, swear not at all: for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem: for it is the city of the great King.” The people knew that it was wrong to swear falsely, but it had never occurred to them that God might be just as displeased with ordinary foolish swearing. But He is, said Jesus, and those who love Him with all their hearts will never take His name in vain like this.?

Now Jesus brought out yet another new idea, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” (Matthew 5:38-41) This was hard to take, no doubt many in the crowd were thinking. One would say, “I will treat him as he treated me.” But a heart full of revenge came from Satan. God’s better way was the way of forgiveness and meekness, it provokes no quarrels, gives back no angry answers, but soothes the irritated temper, and diffuses a gentleness which is felt by all within its charmed circle. It calms the inflammable spirit of retaliation, and mirrors forth the character of Christ.

Now Jesus went still further, saying, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45) He who earnestly desires to fulfill the will of God must daily look into the law of God, the great moral looking-glass, that he may see himself as God sees him. But too often Christians neglect to do this. The mirror is not looked unto others and our defects of character pass unnoticed. The command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," is disregarded; we fail to respect the rights of our fellow-men. Self is highly estimated, and calls for recognition. Walking far apart from those who need our help, not regarding their wants and woes.

If their hearts were full of love; if they love God with all their mind, soul, and strength; as they love their neighbor as themselves; they fulfill all the law that God asked of them. This was God’s better way, the way to real happiness. Lastly, Jesus said “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) If the man is in harmony with God, he will depend continually upon Him for strength. It should be our life-work to press forward continually toward the perfection of Christian character, ever striving for conformity to the will of God, remembering that the efforts begun upon earth will continue throughout eternity. God has set before the human family an elevated standard, and he who is true to his God-given manhood, will not only promote the happiness of his fellow-creatures in this life, but will aid them to secure an eternal reward in the life to come. ~ (Signs of the Times March 11, 1897)