Deuteronomy 5.29

“Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all my commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”

Believers who are skeptical about the continuing validity of the Law of God tend to see the Law as oppressive, merely external, and a hindrance to Christian joy. Such a view can only be described as idiotic – self-referential merely, rather than derived from the plain teaching of God’s Word.

God holds out the blessings of His Law as attainable for all who keep them, “that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” Unless we believe that God delights in taunting or lying to us, we must embrace the notion that the good He promises to those who keep His covenant can actually be theirs, now and forever.

But obedience to God’s Law, and the realization of all it promises, begin in the heart. Unless God works in our hearts, to cut away the heart of stone and give us a heart of new flesh, we can never realize the full benefits of the Biblical worldview of His Law (cf. Deut. 30.1-10; Ezek. 36.26, 27). Unless God “enlarges” our heart – increases our love for Him and His Word – we shall have no inclination or ability to do what is pleasing to Him and beneficial for ourselves (Ps. 119.32; Phil. 2.13).

Living within the blessed worldview outlined in God’s Law is thus, first of all, a matter of what we most earnestly desire. If we do not love God supremely, and love His Law as His gift of love to us, then we will only delude ourselves by thinking that we can know His blessings by any other means. No amount of participation in Christian worship, church programs and ministries, daily devotions, or fellowship with other believers will produce for us the full blessings which obedience to His Law, from the heart, holds in store.

Jesus is the key. He came from beyond our time, by the grace of God, to redeem us and bind us back to God, give us a new heart, indwell us by His Spirit, teach us all His truth, and make us willing and able to do what pleases God. Through Him, through His righteousness and work within us, we may expect to know ever-increasing measures of full and abundant life, covenant blessings, and greatness in His Kingdom, as we learn, practice, and encourage one another in the Law of God (Matt. 5.17-19; Heb. 10.24).

Gaining the benefit of the Biblical worldview, which begins to be revealed in God’s Law, thus depends supremely on knowing, seeking, and following Jesus Christ. His true disciples will, in His power, walk the path of obedience He Himself walked (1 Jn. 2.1-6).

Act: Review the Scriptures cited here. Why does it make sense for one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ to have his worldview rooted and grounded in God’s Law?

T. M. Moore

Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God – another primary theme of Scripture. Order a copy of The Gospel of the Kingdomfrom our online store, and learn how you can become more effective at proclaiming this wonderful Good News.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.