SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” [Matthew 5:29-30]
Moses, like Jesus stresses the seriousness of the law for life.
These are not just options, these are life and death behaviours.
We struggle with the complete destruction of the Canaanites and their culture, but there are two main reasons why it had to be so severe.
The first reason is the corruptness of the times.
We have grown accustomed to a society guided by Christian morals and values (still having an effect on our society today, though the source of those morals and values is now forgotten).
Can we imagine how lawless, violent, corrupt, cruel, abusive the cultures of that day were.
Sure there was also evidence of God’s common grace (the Hammurabi Code!), but at the common level whole generations had been raised without moral restraint and conscience.
“Everyone did as he saw fit.” [Judges 17:6, 21:25]
The second reason is the seductive power of sin.
The Israelites were like recently sobered alcoholics walking into a bar; they had spent over 400 years in Egypt, under its religious, moral influence.
Their own sinful nature, which we all share, was also prone to wander from God, feed the sinful desires of the flesh.
Do we realize how easily we are seduced by the morals and pleasures of this world?
How many subtle sins and desires are we allowing to remain active in our life, and they are undermining our health, happiness, success and character?
Spiritual and moral compromise is deadly.
And we are prone in their direction.
Satan knows our weakness, and takes advantage of it.
Our casual attitudes become our downfall.
We should not use what Moses says to attack others; rather we need to heed Jesus and start with ourselves.
Deal with the attitudes, behaviours and desires that weaken our relationship to God.
Cut off destructive or distracting relationships, as far as we are able.
Put in place accountability and support.
Think like a recently sober alcoholic determined not to get sucked in to that former lifestyle.
Do what it takes to stay sober.
PRAYER:
Lord, life is a battlefield, loaded with landmines. Help me to be alert, serious, but not afraid – trusting in You and Your help to give me success!
Do this and live.
The people had been given the rules for life. Here we are once again reminded that the Lord God is a faithful God who keeps His covenant to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Just do them and live.
Who is in charge? God’s way or my way? God lead His people from Egypt land into the Promised land and told them just to trust and obey for there is no other way. Be careful little eyes what you see because it will divert your walk to others Gods. Stand on the promises of God and you will have life. Stand on the promises of man and it will be your ruin/destruction.
Live for Jesus. Keep your hearts focussed on home. Home is where the heart is and that heart must be His. All desires come from the heart and I must remain GodStrong doing His will seeing His presence in my life. My pilgrim’s progress must be to life for Him each day. He is my Guiding Light and so my eyes are focussed on the things of God, not man. I must strive to please Him in all I do each day.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.