Over the years, from time to time, I have heard some folks talk about how proud they are of their "church". I have heard some say that they are proud to be a Christian. I have been reluctant to think or speak in those terms and I believe that there is something that we can learn about that in the preservation of the Hebrews as God delivered them from Egyptian bondage.
"The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." (Deut 7.7-8). As the people came out of the land they immediately began to question the deliverance. Even at the Red Sea they wavered (Ex 14.12) desiring to return to the familiar misery of slavery. Over the years that passed, by the time of John the baptist and Christ, an attitude had taken root that caused the Jews to think of themselves as something special simply because they were descended from Abraham. John rebuked this attitude when he stated, " And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham" (Matt 3.9). It was the faith of Abraham, and the promise of God that had preserved the nation. They had been preserved so that God could reveal his mercy toward all mankind in the gift of His son. There are times when we may begin to think of ourselves as special, especially when confronted with the evil of the world around us but we must remind ourselves that it is God and His grace that has allowed us to be Christians. As servants therefore we must always be thankful for the blessing that we have in Christ. Other statements to the Hebrews, as Moses prepared them for his own departure, provides a useful guideline to having the proper attitude toward God and to remember that without Him we would be lost and without hope.
"O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!" (Deut 5.29). It was God's will to fulfill all the goodness that He had promised to Abraham, and to the world through him. It was God's desire for those that he had saved to remember Him, live in righteousness, not their own, but that of God, so that He could bless them. The key here is in keeping the commandments of the Lord. All of them. Jesus stated, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14.15). This means all of them and we stress this fact often in our teaching and writing. We really cannot stress this fact enough. When we submit to God by keeping this attitude, we realize that it is not up to us to determine doctrine. It is not up to us to revise doctrine, nor can we change the doctrine as written. It belongs to God and it is His love that revealed it and His love that will save us.
"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart..." (Deut 6.5-6). If we love someone it means that we protect their interests. It means that we do those things that they would have us do. It means that we refrain from hurtful actions that would cause them pain and suffering. Many claim to love God but by refusing to hold to the authority of the scriptures, one compromises their life, their spiritual service to God and ultimately will jeopardize their eternal soul. To love God with all our heart means that we will seek His will, accept His word, setting aside our own wants and wishes. In doing this we please the Lord and express the profound thankfulness that we should have toward Him.
TLC