Doing or Done

 

Do or Done

I am reading the Old Testament writing called Deuteronomy. Many things, good things are commanded for the Israelites to do. I notice the commands for obedience are intertwined with the promises of God’s love for them.

e.g. “He is a faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love Him and obey His commands.”   Deut 7:9

 

In the New Testament, commands are given, but obedience is rather the outcome of love more than the means to win God’s favour.

Eg   “ It is Christ’s love that controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live.  He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will  no longer live to please themselves.  Instead they will live to please Christ who died and was raised for them.

……. All this newness of life is from God who brought us back to Himself through what Christ did.”   2 Corinthians 5:15

 

The ‘old way’  was by doing.

The new life is real because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done.

 

Are you living life as doing?

Or living life because of what He has done?

 

The objective of both is to connect with a righteous and Holy God, but the principle of connection is different. The first depends on my  obedience ( and we all fail) , the second on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ my Lord ( sufficient to reconcile all people who turn to God in faith).

johnmckee@internode.on.net