02/03/2019 - GOD´S REQUIREMENTS

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“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, Deuteronomy 10:12

The Israelites had to observe four points to have God’s help on the way to the Promised Land. In our case, we just have to believe in we learn through the Scriptures. This will be an easy task, and if we do it, the Lord will act powerfully on our behalf. The Word of God is Jesus Himself in His eternal form (1 John 5: 7). To receive Christ in your heart is to give way to the Word.

We walk towards the heavenly Jerusalem. Since what happened to the children of Israel is like a symbol of what is happening to us, it is best for us to examine whether we have followed the instructions taught by the Bible. Otherwise, we will not get to where the Lord has pointed us, and our end will not be good. However, the Holy Spirit, who leads us to where God commands us, will guide us until we go through the eternal gateways.

First of all, the children of Israel should fear the Most High – respect His guidelines. When we obey God, our determinations will be carried out as we desire. However, if we fail to listen to what we are told, no word we proclaim will prosper. The eternal Lord can only love those who love Him; therefore, come to know the divine commandments and keep them.

Second, they would have to walk in the ways prepared by the Lord. The decision to follow God would make them deviate from the enemies that were to stop them from taking possession of the Promised Land. The same will happen to the person who keeps the biblical precepts – he will only receive the love of the Father and the Son. How about that?

Third, they would need to love God. A thousand and five hundred years after this ordinance, Jesus gave the explanation: He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (Jn 14:21). Now, the divine orders are divided into common – those existing in the Scriptures and destined to all people – and the individual ones, that come from God directly to us, such as the ministerial call. They can also be positive (“Do it”) or negative (“Don´t do it”). To keep is to fulfill!

Fourth, they would have to serve God with all their heart and soul. Their dedication should be full not only to the commandments, but also to the promises and declarations of the Holy Book. When the Word says that by His (Jesus) wounds we have been healed, we must consider such a statement as a command, believing that in case of sickness and diseases we are healed. Thus, the Father will be glorified. Everything that is said about our position in Christ must be accepted with no reservations. 

Examine the Bible and when you understand what the Father asks of you, dedicate yourself to doing so. In turn, He will keep the promises He has made to you. So, after claiming a blessing, believe it will be fulfilled. The life of faith is a life of obedience!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares