For God So Loved
God so loves you that He gives us advice on how to unlock the kingdom and He sent His Son to be our Eternal King.
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image ...You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God...You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God...Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy...Honor your father and your mother...You shall not murder...You shall not commit adultery...You shall not steal...You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor...You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. ...the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
Exodus 20:2-5, 7-8, 12-17, 20
No one likes being told what to do. The commandments can easily become a checklist and something that have unintended effects as sin can use them to create separation from God. Have you ever wondered why God gave us the ten commandments? Is it so He has a checklist to see who is good or bad, naughty or nice?
When we learn that God is a loving Father we can have the right perspective on how to understand His commands. God gave us the commandments so that we can live out the great commandment of loving Him and loving others. How can these help draw you closer to Him?
“may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
Psalms 70:4-5
What causes you to rejoice when you think about God? Has He done a new work in you and helped you experience the new life of being born again?
David has experienced it in his life as God has saved him, redeemed him, and elevated him to an earthly king. He teaches us a unique insight into his life of joy. He says that even in the middle of the tough times, the times when we are seeking God's saving help, even then we can proclaim the Lord is great. Are you able to praise God through the highs and lows?
“Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:2, 8, 16-18, 21
Often when you meet a child you can tell a lot about the discipline of the parents. How? The principle of reaping and sowing will never fail. Discipline helps produce fruit in our lives.
What are others learning about God based on how you live? Wisdom says God has given each of us instructions so that we would find the hope of eternal life.
“Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts...Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is!"
Jeremiah 4:1-4, 18
What do we do when we find ourselves in a place where we do not feel close to the Lord or when we know we haven't been following His leading? Break up the unplowed ground and trust that God knows our hearts.
He knows where we have been faithful and where we have sinned. His desire is always to return us to Him and turn away from the ways we have not followed His commands.
“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:3, 5-6, 16-17, 34-35
It is and always has been about God's great love. For God so loved His people that He gave them instructions on how to live a life connected to Him. He loved so much He generously pours out blessing and provision to meet our needs. He loves so much that He sent His one and only son that whoever would believe in Him would not perish. He loves so much He doesn't condemn us when we fail.
Today is a day to listen to the voice of love and respond in love by obeying what He says so that we can live out the life of love we are called to live. For God so loved in every way imaginable so that we would love Him back.