Bible Reading Blog
“The Critical Role We Play”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 6-9
“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers.” (Deuteronomy 8.1)
The Law—its commands and rituals—belonged to Israel and their covenant with YHWH. Activities such as circumcision, animal sacrifice, and observance of days were expectations for this specific covenant. It is clear that, today, we are not bound by this law or these activities (Hebrews 8); our covenant relationship with Christ has different expectations. But the basic response of covenant relationship has not changed: We must keep his commandments (1 John 2.3-ff).
God’s call for obedience has always had practical benefits for his people. It produced life and righteousness (Deuteronomy 6.25; 8.1) and helped them remember their God (Deuteronomy 6.20-25; 8.1-2, 11-18). But it also humbled and taught Israel to fear God (Deuteronomy 6.2, 24; 8.2-6). There is something powerful and healthy about fearing God—it is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1.7). In fact, the wise man would say that to fear God and keep his commandments is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12.13).
Given the nature of God’s grace and mercy, we must think soberly about obedience. It is a secondary response to God’s primary activity; but that does not render it unnecessary. I say this because, in our present religious climate, grace is often promoted at the expense of obedience. I have observed a strong aversion by many to anything that smells like “Law-keeping”. Many believe that in Christ we are not bound to obey commands, but rather that faith is purely about the heart. I will admit, it is right to acknowledge the impact of grace and the flaws of the law. But we must also recognize the import of fulfilling our covenant obligation. We are debtors, not to the flesh, but to the Spirit of Christ who died to give us life. As Paul reminds us, we should never treat our behavior as irrelevant so that grace may abound (Romans 6.1). Instead, we must remember and confirm our calling and election to the covenant (2 Peter 1.10-11). Obedience to Jesus is the critical role we play in the covenant. Not to validate ourselves but to position ourselves in the grace and mercy of God.
Obedience demonstrates we understand God’s preeminence. We obey those we respect and value. We obey those whom we believe know better than we do. We obey those who have rightful authority over us. As Peter reminds us, if we call God our Father, we should conduct ourselves with fear during our lives knowing that we were ransomed by the blood of God’s own Son (1 Peter 1.17-21). Just like Israel, “we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2.9; cf. Deuteronomy 7.6) so that we might obey and therefore reflect his righteous ways. This is where Israel failed, and we must not. “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience” (Hebrews 4.11).
