March 6th - Outcomes for Obedience

Outcomes for Obedience

(Leviticus 22:31-33; 26:3-46)

(Numbers 15:37-41)

(Deuteronomy 12:32; 22:12; 31:9-13)

Reading the Law

Artist Unknown

In today’s Scripture readings, we find the completion of the Mosaic law, which closes with the Lord’s emphatic commandment to obedience and honor of His Word.

Here, God promised to bless His people for obedience. If they heeded His instructions, they would enjoy His favor, provision and victory. If they deliberately disregarded the law of the Lord, then their relationship with Him would suffer.

How is the justice of God balanced with His mercy?

Throughout Christian history, theologians and others have debated the question of good deeds and free salvation. If the Lord saves us by His own sacrifice, do our actions really matter at all?

God’s blessing depends on His grace.

We rejoice, of course, that our eternal salvation does not rest in our own hands. We are elated to understand that we are saved only by the grace of God, demonstrated in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, who paid the penalty for our failures. We can do nothing to save ourselves, besides believing and accepting His free gift of forgiveness that leads to everlasting life.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God –

not by works, so that no one can boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Thanks be to God for all He has done for us. If the Lord never blessed our lives again, He would already have blessed us enough by saving us from our sin and death.

Disobedience carries a cost.

On the other hand, salvation may be free, but it is certainly not cheap. It cost the Lord His very lifeblood. Surely, we dare not regard this lightly by taking a cavalier attitude towards sin.

Yet we so easily do so. How often do we choose to disregard the clear warnings and commandments of our God, planning to repent perhaps after we have participated in deliberate disobedience to Him?

Bible scholars and doctrinal experts may differ on the issue of eternal security. Is it possible for a true believer to lose his or her salvation by engaging in an action or attitude that may imperil him or her for eternity?

Even if our eternal position is protected forever, our present-day relationship with the Lord is worth preserving and cherishing. The Scriptures clearly and repeatedly point to the importance of walking faithfully with our God.

Can we expect the Lord to hold His hand of blessing upon our lives, our families and even our nations, if we pursue a deliberate course of disobedience to His clear instructions?

Do we presume to petition God for provision and protection, if we are unwilling to follow His Word and give our lives unto His leading daily? Of course, we will find daily reasons for repenting in our human lives. Still, is our main intent to follow the Lord or to seek our own way and repent later, at our own convenience?

In the Mosaic law, the Lord instructed His people to make the reading of His Word a top priority for their families and collective culture. God promised this practice would bring His blessing. What might happen in our modern society, if we did the same?

Will you pray with me?

Lord,

We are humbled

To ponder the paths

We have too often taken.

Thank You for purchasing our lives

From sin and death

And from ourselves.

Truly, we belong to You.

Teach us to follow You

And to obey Your instructions,

So that our fellowship with You

Will flourish daily.

We crave Your blessing

Upon our lives

and those we love.

Amen.