What the Lord Requires of Us. (Deuteronomy 10: 12-22)

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Study Notes: "What the Lord Requires of Us" (Deuteronomy 10:12-22)

Introduction

• Life is filled with requirements: school, jobs, etc.
• Scripture also outlines requirements for a relationship with God.
• In the New Testament the emphasizes is on salvation through faith, not works.

After Salvation: Further Requirements

• To have things go well, additional requirements exist beyond initial faith.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

• Question: "What does the Lord your God require of you?"
• Requirements listed:
  • Fear the Lord your God
  • Walk in His ways
  • Love Him
  • Serve Him with all your heart and soul
  • Keep His commandments and statutes

Emphasis on Love and Obedience

• Total allegiance and obedience to God lead to well-being.
• Repeated Motif: "That it may be well with you" is a recurring motivation for obedience in Deuteronomy.
• 1 John 4:19: We love God because He first loved us.
• The core requirement: Love God.

Deuteronomy 10:14-15

• Verse 14: Everything in heaven and earth belongs to God.
• Verse 15: God's love and choice of Israel emphasize His love as the foundation.
• Requirement: Love God because He loves you.

Deuteronomy 10:16

• Command: "Circumcise the foreskin of your heart."
• Meaning: Remove barriers to loving God fully.
• Be stiff-necked no longer: Stop being stubborn and resistant.

Greatest Commandment: Love

• Matthew 22: Jesus states the greatest commandment is to love God.
• Deuteronomy 6: Emphasizes loving God with all heart, soul, and strength.

Rationale for Obedience

• Verse 17: God is the supreme, mighty, and just ruler.
• Verses 17-18: Reasons to obey God include His just and merciful nature.
• Illustration: God's care for the helpless shows His character.

Response to God's Love

• Verse 19: Love the stranger, reflecting God's love and compassion.
• Application: Loving others is a natural extension of loving God.

James 2: Parallel Passage

• James 2: Echoes Deuteronomy's call for mercy and love over partiality.
• Works of love: Feeding and clothing the needy as acts of mercy.

Final Instructions

• Verses 20-21: Fear, serve, and hold fast to God. Praise Him for His deeds.
• Verse 22: Remember God's faithfulness to His promises.

Summary

• Central Requirement: Love the Lord.
• Why?
  • Because of who God is.
  • Because of what He has done.
  • Because it benefits us.
• Application for Israel: Faithfulness in the Promised Land.
• Application for Believers: Living a life rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Conclusion

Loving God and others is essential for well-being and spiritual fulfilment and God's power and love should motivate our obedience and devotion.

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