Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Psalm 119:4-5 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!
We have been spending some time studying each of the Ten Commandments. Some people say they are old fashioned, but God put them in place to help us worship Him. Another benefit of living the commandments is that when we do, people can’t help but know that we are different. But do we want to be different?
Have you ever had someone think you are strange because they see you living like Christ? When we live like Christ, obeying the Law in the spirit in which it was given, it doesn’t usually make us popular. God didn’t call us to be popular but He did call us to be His examples in the world. Being different isn’t the comfortable path, but it is the most rewarding. Although we need to be prepared to wait for our reward until heaven, we can enjoy peace in our relationship with God.
In our passage today we see how serious God is, not just that we obey His laws but that we pass them on so that they will continue to be known and obeyed in the future. Each household has a code of conduct whether they call it that or not. Families have unwritten rules that help the children understand the standards the parents want the family known for. For example some families say that there are certain words that aren’t to be said. When the child learns those rules and watches what comes out of their mouths, others will notice that. Maybe a family rule is that adults in conversation are not to be interrupted, these children are found to be respectful and their parents are praised for the way that the children act.
This is the same way we represent God and bring Him praise. We are to be living examples of our heavenly Father and when we live in such a way that reflects Him and His attributes then it becomes clear we are His. But this requires wholehearted commitment. He doesn’t give this list as options for serving Him. To truly worship Him means wholehearted surrender to Him and His laws. Do you take joy in His statutes?
Making It Personal
How difficult do you find the idea of wholehearted surrender to Him in the sense of obeying His commands? Which law do you find most difficult to surrender to Him about? What does your reluctance about that command say about false gods that may be trying to taint your witness?
Making It Personal Kids
What does it mean to act like God’s child? What things does He want you to do? Do you do them?
Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for wanting us as Your representatives here on earth. Help us keep Your laws in front of us so that we can continue obeying You and revealing You to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
コメント