075 Monday, March 16, 2009

075 Deuteronomy 32 – 34; Galatians 5

These are the last few chapters of Moses reciting the law to God’s people. I am sure you noticed that most of chapter 32 is a song that Moses recited to the people. Here is Moses summary of that song and all that he had said,

Deuteronomy 32:45-47 (MSG)
45 When Moses had finished saying all these words to all Israel,
46 he said, "Take to heart all these words to which I give witness today and urgently command your children to put them into practice, every single word of this Revelation.
47 Yes. This is no small matter for you; it's your life. In keeping this word you'll have a good and long life in this land that you're crossing the Jordan to possess."

Moses knew that God’s words breathe life into individuals and into communities. We are either living by mans words or by God’s words. It is easy to forget that there are no other options. Please take note that it was not just knowing these words but putting them into practice that really counted. We are also to urge our children to obey God’s word as well. True knowing is in the doing.

I love the book of Galatians and I hope you do too! As a follower of Christ you are free from what man’s religion would put on you. We are to live life from the inside out. God has set us free and we are to live in the power of that freedom. Paul tells us that our freedom in Christ is a freedom to serve others and not ourselves. We truly do live out this Christian life by the grace of God! Paul gives us a vision of what that would look like when he writes,

Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)
22 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments,
23 not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.