Aug 7 Devotion: Requirements

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

         One of the definitions for the word require in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary does not allow options. Look at what it says. “To claim; to render necessary; as a duty or any thing indispensable; as, the law of God requires strict obedience.” It is necessary obedience that is required. It is not up for interpretation or opinion. It is a requirement. (I have heard it said that the Bible has the Ten Commandments, not the Ten Requests.) This passage in Deuteronomy speaks to the idea of required obedience.

These are the requirements given:

1)   Fear the Lord

2)   Walk in his ways

3)   Love him

4)   Serve him wholeheartedly

5)   Do what his word says to do

         I know that the context of these verses is to the nation of Israel as they are about to enter the promised land, but the principle of required obedience is not just an Old Testament truth. It is for the New Testament church today. Doing what is right in accordance with what thus saith the Lord is never an outdated doctrine. Righteousness is to be the way of life for the child of God, and it is not a request but a requirement. Some may say that this is legalism, but they misunderstand. Living an obedient life is not a requirement to be saved but is a requirement to please and honor God. Righteousness in us and lived out through us glorifies God.

         Consider these verses. Notice how they are worded and that they are found in the New Testament.  

1 Peter 1:14-16

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

We are required to live a life that honors God. It should never be considered as just an option. God has equipped us with all we need to live for him. Let us live in required obedience.

In Christ’s Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5