Tag: Words

Do All the Words of this Law

This morning I start a new word study, “law”. As noted, I choose a word in the concordance of my ESV Bible and study verse over verse. The way it is organized takes me through the Bible with those references to the word from Genesis to Revelation in that order. With the word “law” I am taken back to Deuteronomy to begin my study.

“29The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” – Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

Notice that the title of my post is the last seven words of the above verse. This is the command that we have been given as pertains to our following of the law of God. The law of God leads us to righteousness (although it does not make us righteous). This is a great start to doing the will of the LORD and demonstrating the example of Christ to the world.

Here’s the thing, notice the first part and middle of the verse referencing “secret things” and “things that are revealed”. There is so much that we do not know. God has only revealed that which He “needs” us to know at this time. There are things that He is keeping to Himself until which time we need to know. Look at the time of this writing and the fact that Jesus has not been revealed to the people. Yes, He is referenced, yet not revealed. Without the revelation of Jesus, the secret of all that He is stays with God until that time we need Him.

We are to follow along as the LORD leads us. God’s word and the law therein was written many years ago. It is relevant in our lives today and tomorrow, yet there is still so much that has yet to be revealed. We are to devote ourselves to Him and subsequently the pursuit of learning and knowing more of the law He reveals to us. We are to study His word to seek revelation. We are to “do all the words of this law” as they are revealed to us in the time we need them.

What is your view of the law? Do you believe we know it all and are good to go? What if you were to study and study knowing that we have only knowledge of that which God has revealed to us and that there is so much that will be revealed for us to follow as our needs require them?

We Speak From the Heart

It is true, when we truly speak we speak from the heart. We have to remember that we are emotional creatures and as such, we speak with emotion. Even in calculated speaking, we end up speaking from the heart.

“34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” – Matthew 12:34-35 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking in the synagogue here and is being constantly challenged by the Pharisees and scribes. He points out that where there seems to be speaking from a place of reverence, the hypocrisy in the Pharisees and scribes it known. He is pointing out that where there is speech to the law and the good, the actions speak a different story. The true self is displayed whether good or evil, as that is what is found in the heart.

What does this mean for you and me? Well, I see this as the chance for us to get right in the heart that what comes from us will be that of good and not evil. We are to be speaking good and the way for that to manifest is for us to be filled with good to that good flows from us.

“37for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:37 (ESV)

When it comes down to our judgment at the feet of Jesus, we will be judged as to the words we speak and the actions we take. We have to remember that people are listening and watching. When they hear, they take note and then the see if/when the actions match or not and from there they take things on for themselves based on that they witness. The Pharisees and scribes were known for saying one thing and doing another, and therefor were not as trustworthy as one might think. Would we be the same as them?

We are to fill our hearts with the good of the LORD and then allow that good to flow from us. We are to say and then do to ensure that those around us are witnessing the same goodness from both ends. When we do, we will be doing the work of the LORD and bringing about His glory to the world. We will be judged by that which flows from us, I am working to choose good from the heart, both in deeds and in speech.

What is coming from your heart? Are you saying one thing and then doing another? What if you were to fill your heart with the LORD and allow Him to flow from you, the goodness that He is?