Doing because He first loved Us

Deuteronomy 6:20-25.

Growing up as a teenager, "Why do I have to do it?" would be my first response to something I didn't want to do, like, then, doing the dishes. If you can relate, we're not alone on this:

In the book of Deuteronomy, after Moses had reminded Israel of God's law (ch 5) and given directions on keeping it close to heart and memory (6:6-9), he then tells them why they ought to do it (6:20-25).

In the future when your child asks you "what do these commands from God mean", why do we have to do it? Tell them (v20):

We were slaves in Egypt (v21).
We were slaves to sin (Romans 6:17).
God did all His wonders, all it takes (v22).
God sent His Son to the cross (Romans 5:8).
He pulled us out of there to bring us in (v23).
He pulled us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
And give us the land He promised (v23).
He gave us eternal life (John 3:16).
So that we would live reverently, in obedience before GOD (v24).
So we can live in Christ our righteousness by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25, Romans 6:18).

Moses paints a picture of God's love as a response to why we do God's Word.
We know and rely on God's love for us...we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:16, 19).

Reflect & Pray

What recent event has reminded you of God's love for you? How might you share your experience of God's love with others?

May God's beautiful love encourage us to continually long for, and to do, His Word, in Jesus name.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

Accompanied by unfailing love

Ruth 1:1-22 NIV. I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break. Happy New Year! The Book of Ruth has been called the most beautiful short story ever written because of its simple narrative. A narrative that shows how God’s provision for our needs or challenges is often woven into the simple acts of human kindness. Chapter 1 shows the kindness of a daughter-in-law, Ruth, to her mother-in-law, Naomi (v8, 16, 22), and we’ll see God at work through that. But first, the passage sets the context by introducing us to Naomi’s loss… Naomi lost her family… When Naomi (which means pleasant) is first introduced, we are told of her loss. A woman in a foreign land who lost her family (v1-5). She feels bitter, empty and afflicted by the Lord (v21). Why so? …Because Naomi knows Israel’s God to be the Almighty—Sovereign. He can bring famine to a disobedient Israel (v1) a...

Redeemed into a new life

Ruth 4:1-22 NIV. In today’s passage, Boaz follows up on his promise to Ruth (in 3:12-13) to redeem her. From Boaz’s redemption of Ruth, we get a peek into the pattern of God’s redemption through Jesus. So what does this redemption look like? It is selfless—a costly act, no other redeemer could pay, v1-12 When Boaz met with the closer guardian-redeemer, whom we called Bob, he asked Bob if he would redeem his kinsman’s properties. Bob said yes, then declined when he realised that this included his kinsman’s widow, which would affect his estate. This shows the inevitable selfish motive of any redemption act which is outside of God’s provision. However, Boaz, motivated by love, acquired Ruth, notwithstanding the cost. This costly and selfless act points us to God’s act of redemption through Jesus, our Redeemer, who, out of love, gave His life to save us (John...

True life begins with accepting the word

Mark 4:1-20, 26-29. (The Parables of the Sower and Growing Seed). How do you respond to God’s word? Jesus shows that the continuous experience of true life only comes from accepting the word of God. Anything short, at its best, only yields momentary joy. In teaching about the Kingdom of God (v11, 26), Jesus speaks of a farmer who goes to sow seeds and scatters them on all kinds of soils, with the good soil truly yielding life (v1-8, 26). The seed is the word of God (v14), and the soils are how we respond to the word. But there is only one right response. Accept it The parable shows that just as the kind of soil affects the yield, the kind of response affects the experience of the Kingdom of God. It’s like signing up for an online service, say Amazon; there are terms and conditions open to all. You can either ignore it, tiptoe around it, consider it or accept it. But there...

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