If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today… then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.” vs. 16
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
The Law of Moses was foundational for Judaism. Throughout the history of Israel people were taught that everything hinged on their obedience to the commandments of God as revealed in their scriptures. If they loved the Lord their God and obeyed all the ordinances, commandments, and decrees of the Law they would live long and prosper. The fact that their years of occupation in the land had been marked by division, revolution, invasion, and captivity didn’t seem to faze them. The problem lay not with the Law but in their failure to obey. If they could do better, then surely blessings would follow. That sounds good, and even Christians fall for the deception. Some of us are convinced that until we get our acts together God’s blessings will be withheld. But the truth is that the good life comes not through obedience but through God’s steadfast love and mercy. As John put it in his gospel, “The Law was indeed given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” When that truth finally fills our hearts the sense of peace and serenity is enormous. It’s not all up to us! Jesus has our back!
Thought for the Day: What happened when I first felt the truth of grace?
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