As you might surmise from my recent posts, Psalms 119:165 made a deep impact on me. I've been doing a lot of thinking about what it means to love God's law. Through the years there are so many things I've been told about what God's law is. So many rules - some of which make little sense and seem to put piety above caring about other people. What really IS God's law? I think of something Jesus said in Matthew:
"They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." (Matthew 15:9 NIV)I think this is part of what has made me cringe a bit when I think about loving God's law. I've thought that rules taught by men were God's! I was reminded of a passage in Luke:
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." (Luke 10:25-28 NIV)
Sometimes I can feel pretty overwhelmed about the idea of God's law. What is His law? There are so many "laws" recorded in the Bible that seem to pertain to another time and another culture. What is important for me now? What is important to God? Jesus answers this question in these verses. LOVE is what is important - love for God and love for others. Another verse also comes to mind - this one from Micah:
"The Lord has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God." (Micah 6:8 NCV)
While I can't say I always live up to these words, this is certainly the way I WANT to live. Understanding that THIS is what God wants from me, and knowing that He will see the work He has begun in me to completion, I can relax and trust. And certainly I can love the law of love!!!!
Thank you, Father for your clarity! Thank you for your guidance. Thank you for your gentle leading. Thank you that you work in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure. I love you, Father!
Thank you, Father for your clarity! Thank you for your guidance. Thank you for your gentle leading. Thank you that you work in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure. I love you, Father!
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This blog is simply a sharing of my "daily bread" - my daily walk with God. If something I've said has touched your heart, or sparked a new thought, I'd love to hear from you.