Commandments = the opposite constant in preaching!

The one “constant” thing I continue to find in preaching is the common characteristic in false teaching and the common characteristic in truth.  These are in direct opposition to one another!

That ‘constant’ is commands! 

Simply stated: false teaching does not stress obedience to commands; truth does!

Attitudes toward sin are shaped from what is heard preached.   If God’s commands are set forth in preaching as irrelevant, then obedience will not be seen as important, much less necessary.

Most people do not see obedience to commands as related to salvation.  This is in line with what they hear preached.

“The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree.”

This speaks of the similarities between the apple and the tree that produced it as the fruit naturally has characteristics of the seed from which it sprang.

This principle is also true in the religious realm.  Moral conduct bears resemblance to religious teaching.