DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOR OUR GOOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS --  FOR OUR GOOD

" 'And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statues, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us.'" (Deuteronomy 6:24-25)

Talk about long-winded preachers! I've heard a few and have probably been one more than once! This sermon recorded in Deuteronomy begins in chapter 1 and finally comes to a conclusion in Chapter 30 with the admonition that they love the LORD their God, obey His voice, and cling to Him (Deuteronomy 30:19-20), which is really the essence of the divine law. In his sermon, Moses reviewed the commandments that God had given to the nation of Israel.

In this focus verse, we are reminded that God's statutes are always for our good. We may rebel against them because we think we know better than God what is best for our lives. True righteousness is living God's way. God's way is best.

But Moses also reminded the Israelites to be careful to stay within the parameters that God had revealed. Moses warned them not to add anything to God's commandments nor take away from them (Deuteronomy 4:2), nor to turn to the right nor to the left (Deuteronomy 5:32). In other words, stay in the middle. It is so easy to veer from God's expressed commands, and either add to them, or minimize them as not important. The religionists of Jesus' day were guilty of this. They added grievous burdens (Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46) which were not a part of God's law while at the same time they did not keep the important ones. They could strain at a gnat while swallowing a camel. They could pay tithes on their mint and anise and cummin, and neglect the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23-24). They developed traditions – like giving Corban – while at the same time neglecting their responsibility to honor their father and mother (Mark7:11-13). They were legalists in their adherence to tradition while at the same time neglecting God's greatest commandments.

Legalism adds rules that go beyond what God has commanded and leads to self-righteousness. Minimizing God's law leads to licentiousness and unholiness. Staying within God's revealed Word will lead to life and peace. His laws are truly for our good and we benefit if we stay in the middle of them. They are for our good, always.

Love, Dad