God's Way is the Best Way to Live - Deuteronomy 3-4 and Mark 10:32-52
There is a definite difference between the ways of this world and the ways of God. Our flesh is drawn to operate by the ways of this world, but that will not bring real fulfillment. God is trying to get us to see that His ways are the best way to live. Therefore, God punishes us for disobeying Him, and He rewards us for following Him. He is trying to get us to see what is best and to do it.
Deuteronomy 3 and 4 give us an introduction to the giving of the 10 Commandments again in Deuteronomy 5. It is clear that Moses wanted Israel to know that God was fighting for them as long as they obeyed Him. He was providing this great land for them. Also, He wanted them to know that he, himself, could not enter the land, because he had disobeyed the Lord. Therefore, chapter 4 spells out the consequences of their actions. God had revealed Himself to Israel in a very unique way. If they worshiped Him and went His way, they would be greatly blessed, but if not, they would be scattered among their enemies. What a stark contrast! If you know the Old Testament, you know that God kept this promise. He always keeps His promises.
Think about the passage in Mark 10 in this way. Jesus told the disciples the Gospel again for the third time. What was He doing? He was showing them that they needed to believe in Him as Lord. They needed to see His death, burial, and resurrection as God's remedy for sin, and His way to establish a relationship with people through Jesus Christ. The only way to have real life is by trusting in Jesus as Lord. However, after that what is important? It is not the world's way of power and authority. It is the way of a servant. God will bless those who are servants. Even Jesus was a servant, and look at how the Father blessed Him. He gave Him a name that is above every name. God will bless those who follow Him and live as servants of all in a special way. I pray that you have found the joy of knowing Jesus and serving Him in His way. There is no other way to an abundant life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 5-7 and mark 11:1-18.
Deuteronomy 3 and 4 give us an introduction to the giving of the 10 Commandments again in Deuteronomy 5. It is clear that Moses wanted Israel to know that God was fighting for them as long as they obeyed Him. He was providing this great land for them. Also, He wanted them to know that he, himself, could not enter the land, because he had disobeyed the Lord. Therefore, chapter 4 spells out the consequences of their actions. God had revealed Himself to Israel in a very unique way. If they worshiped Him and went His way, they would be greatly blessed, but if not, they would be scattered among their enemies. What a stark contrast! If you know the Old Testament, you know that God kept this promise. He always keeps His promises.
Think about the passage in Mark 10 in this way. Jesus told the disciples the Gospel again for the third time. What was He doing? He was showing them that they needed to believe in Him as Lord. They needed to see His death, burial, and resurrection as God's remedy for sin, and His way to establish a relationship with people through Jesus Christ. The only way to have real life is by trusting in Jesus as Lord. However, after that what is important? It is not the world's way of power and authority. It is the way of a servant. God will bless those who are servants. Even Jesus was a servant, and look at how the Father blessed Him. He gave Him a name that is above every name. God will bless those who follow Him and live as servants of all in a special way. I pray that you have found the joy of knowing Jesus and serving Him in His way. There is no other way to an abundant life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 5-7 and mark 11:1-18.