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March 13th
The Bible reading today is in Deuteronomy chapters 5,6,7.
This text is where this old sermon gets its name...” two laws”...or “second law”...or “Deuteronomy” from the Greek translation...
Exodus twenty is the original “ten commandments” record given by God to Israel from Mt Sinai. Here in Deuteronomy 5 and following, Moses gives more explanation of “the law” of God to the young generation of Israelites who are about to cross into Canaan to possess the land of promise...
Before we briefly review these laws, let me tell you how I “don't” read the ten commandments.
I don't read them like a job description on how Israel was to earn the wages of God’s salvation. I don't study them like Moses was giving a “different gospel” than the one we read about in the New Testament...such as...the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus...” for by grace are you saved through faith, not of works (of the law) lest any man should boast...(or any man be “burdened” by the impossible task of perfectly keeping the law.) Paul to the church in Rome who believed Jesus...owe no man anything except to love one another...for he who loves his neighbor fulfills the law.
Watch the progression...Faith in the I Am...Who is everything we need...Who Jesus claimed to be...Savior Lord God and King of the Kingdom of Heaven...that gracious “God-given” faith led to “God-given” love for one another. And that love fulfills the law.
For instance: The first Word: “You will have no other Gods before me”. Why wouldn't all the Israelites have other gods? Why won't we who believe Jesus have other gods? Because we love Him...above everything. Faith...love...keeps the commandments.
#2 Another one...”You will not have graven images that you will bow down to and serve...” How would love from our faith fulfill that second commandment? Because we have love for one another...a loving brother or sister in the Lord comes alongside me and tells me the truth in love....and the Holy Spirit in me empowers me to love and serve only One...the living Jesus...not a carved image of Him.
#3 “You will not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”...You won't wear His name carelessly. You won't take His name and then live in a manner that dishonors His name. You won't use His name in any profane language and conversation. Why would believers want to take God’s name seriously...?...respectfully?...humbly???...because the faith we have in God produces an abundant love for Him that selects our thoughts of Him...selects our words about Him...and selects our outward testimony for Him...to others... for the sake of the gospel.
Jesus said in Matthew 22....” that the greatest commandment was to love God and love your neighbor...for these summed up all the law and the prophets.”
#4 “You will remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”....you will rest in the Lord and His love for you...because you love Him and you love being satisfied with Him.
#5 And you will honor your father and your mother...” because faith produced an overflowing love in us for our parents...grateful beyond measure that they gave us life love and big and little brothers and sisters and especially Jesus...
Yes the Love of Christ in us...by grace and faith...fulfills every law...
“You will not murder, commit adultery, steal, you will not lie against your neighbor, neither will you covet your neighbors’ possessions...and how would the young Israelites do that?
And how will we fulfill those laws? Our great God’s love in us and through us to others...for His honor and glory....
Enjoy the rest of the story...have a great day...
