Dec 12
10
Doctrinal Standard #40 & 41 (4 of 4 weeks)
- Q. What rules did God first reveal for man to obey?
- A. The rules He first revealed were the moral law.
- Q. Where is the moral law summarized?
- A. The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.
Memory Verses
- “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, ESV).
Scripture
- Study Passage: Deuteronomy 6
- Support Passages: Romans 7:14, Colossians 3:5, Proverbs 1:19, Matthew 15:4-6, Job 36:21, Hebrews 11:25, I Thessalonians 5:22, Genesis 18:19
- Bible Story: Luke 10:38-42
Thoughts
- When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment he responded with, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). Providing his response from Deuteronomy informs us that man’s primary purpose is to love God. Or as question one of the catechism tells us the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Scripture provides a clear explanation on how we are to love God. We are to obey him. Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Jesus is quoted in John 14:21, “whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” We love God when we keep his commandments and obey him.
- It is important to remember the source and heart of this obedience towards God. We must always remember that our obedience will not and cannot be good enough to be accepted before God. It is only by the blood of Christ and His perfect life that we are accepted before him. But we must realize that Christ’S death and resurrection has not only made us acceptable before God but also freed us from the bondage of sin. With the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to live a life in obedience to Him. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit helps to convict us of sin leading to repentance and guides our lives in obedience to God’s word. Because of the work of Christ we can show our love and gratitude towards God by following his commands. No longer are his laws a burden unto condemnation but rather a joy that is pleasing not only to God but also to the believer.
Discussion Questions
- What is the greatest commandment?
- What is man’s problem in obeying this commandment?
- What needs to take place before an individual can obey this command?
- How can you love God with all you are?
- What gives us the ability to obey the commands of God?
- What does obeying God’s commands prove?
- Are God’s commands a burden or liberating? Explain
- What does your answer reveal about your heart?
