“These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you to possess, ALL THE DAYS THAT YOU LIVE on the earth.” (Deuteronomy 12:1) This is the beginning of the 613 commandments found in the Old Testament Law. The Talmud points to Rabbi Simlai in the 3rd century AD as the originator.
God tells them to appoint a king, “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that HE SHALL WRITE FOR HIMSELF A COPY OF THIS LAW in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be WITH HIM, and he shall READ IT ALL THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE, that he may LEARN TO FEAR THE LORD his God and be careful to OBSERVE ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW and these statutes, that HIS HEART MAY NOT BE LIFTED ABOVE HIS BRETHREN, that he may NOT TURN ASIDE from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20) Isn’t God’s Grace SO MUCH BETTER? YES!
God tried to have a GRACE relationship with the children of Israel, God said, ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed OBEY MY VOICE AND KEEP MY COVENANT, then you shall be a SPECIAL TREASURE TO ME above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:4-5) Moses gave these words to the people, “Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken WE WILL DO.” So, Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD…Now all the people witnessed the thundering’s, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, THEY TREMBLED AND STOOD AFAR OFF. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but LET NOT GOD SPEAK WITH US, LEST WE DIE.” (Exodus 20:8, 18-19) Why were they afraid of God? “Because they DID NOT BELIEVE IN GOD AND DID NOT TRUST IN HIS SALVATION.” (Psalms 78:22) “And DID NOT BELIEVE IN HIS WONDROUS WORKS…THEY FLATTERED HIM WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND THEY LIED TO HIM WITH THEIR TONGUE; for THEIR HEARTS WERE NOT LOYAL TO HIM, NOR WERE THEY FAITHFUL IN HIS COVENANT.” (Psalms 78:32, 36-37)
“Christ set us free from the CURSE OF THE LAW. by taking the curse for our wrongdoing upon Himself. For it is written in the Scripture, “Anyone who is hanged on a tree is cursed” (Jesus was hung upon a wooden cross). “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “AND TO YOUR SEED,” who is Christ…What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the SEED (Jesus) should come to whom the promise was made…” (Galatians 3:13,16,19) So, now we live by faith!
“…having been justified by FAITH, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE IN WHICH WE STAND and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2) “We believe it is through THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS that we are saved…“ (Acts 15:11)
We must not refuse GOD’S WONDERFUL GRACE the consequences are not good…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham