The Word of God gives us instruction on how to walk in the light of God.

Num 15:39  And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring. 

It is man’s nature to forget even if it’s God’s law. Some sins were committed unintentionally because of ignorance of God's laws. Therefore, God made provisions in His laws concerning unintentional sins (Numbers 15:22-31). In addition, He made provision for the prevention of such sins. This could be found in the fringes of the garments of the Israelites. The children of Israel were commanded to make fringes upon the borders of their garments, which were to be reminder to them of their duties that they might not sin through forgetfulness. Each time when they looked at the fringes, they would be reminded to keep the commandments of God: “that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring” (Numbers 15:39).

The sign is a piece of blue lace tied to the fringe on the corners of the garment. The size of these fringes is not prescribed. But we read that in our Lord’s time the Pharisees enlarged their fringes in order to exhibit openly their punctilious fulfilment of the law (Matthew 23:5). They made them broader than other people who wore them to show that they had special respect for the law. Their purpose was to feed their pride; an act which the Lord condemned.

A case of disobedience was found in the action of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2). Those two men offered strange fire to God which He had not commanded. In doing so, they walked after their own heart and eyes and despised the commandments of God.

Today, we need not make a special fringe on our garments. We have two gifts given to us to remind us to keep the commandments of God: (1) The Inspired Word of God. (2) The Name Christian.

1. THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD.

The bible is given to us for a purpose – that we may know God and do His commandments. It is a book given to us to study diligently so that we can rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This inspired word is readily available to all men such that no one can have the excuse he is ignorant of the commandments of God (Psalm 119:11). A Christian can be perfect and be furnished unto all good works through knowing the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:17). Let us meditate on the word of God day and night that we may do His commandments (Psalm 1:2).

2. THE NAME CHRISTIAN.

The name Christian is a special name given by God (Acts 11:26). It is a name which reminds us that we are followers of Christ. The apostle Peter wrote: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:16, ESV).

It is a name that speaks of a certain kind of behaviour. What kind of conduct does the world expect of a Christian? Loving, forgiving, kind, honest, patient, and peaceful. Are they wrong in expecting such good behaviour from us? No! Why? It is because we preach and teach love. We preach about God’s love and how we should love one another. Therefore, we must live a life of showing love for one another. The Christian name is a constant reminder that we must conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the name of Christ: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).

The Word of God gives us instruction on how to walk in the light of God. The name Christian reminds us to walk in the light. They are our reminders that we are to walk in God’s commandments. 

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.