Sunday 15 April 2012

Restraint by Fear

Prepare: The law, which is perfect demands perfection.
Read: Exodus 20:18-26

Some people obey God because of fear (VV.18-21), others obey only because they want His blessing. The highest motive for obedience is our love for the Lord. But what is we disobey the Lord? God made provision for Israel in the prescribed sacrifices (vv.22-26). He has made provision for believers today through the work of Christ (1 John 1:9-2:2). Believers are not under law but under grace. This is not an excuse for sin but an encouragement for loving obedience to His will.

God has given the children of Israel the moral code which is the Ten Commandments. However, there is more to the law than the moral code. God will also give them that part of the law which deals with social legislation. He will also give them instructions concerning an altar and the building of the Tabernacle. The book of Leviticus gives in detail the service of the Tabernacle. It is all part of the law. It all goes in one package.

God wanted to impress upon them that He is the living God. Remember that they were reared in Egypt with idols all around them-and they were idolatrous. God was moving closer to His people than ever before.

God does not want a display of the flesh in anything that has to do with His work. We need to guard against this type of thing. A country boy after hearing the preaching of Vernon McGee in Georgia, said in tears, "My, I did not know Jesus was so wonderful." We do not need the display of the flesh in the ministry, pulpit or in church work. We need to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Respond: Grace reveals something of the goodness and wonder of our God. 

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