March 21, 2006 - John Milgate, A Community of Grace

March 21, 2006

Exodus 20:1-11
John Milgate, A Community of Grace
Father, allow me to gaze upon Jesus today.

Read the passage and respond to these questions:
1. To whom are these commands given? (vs. 2)
2. How many times are the words “God” or “Lord” used in these verses?
3. Can you summarize the commands given here?
If we are to consider “how have I sinned” there is no better place to look than the Law of Moses. Sin – “falling short of the mark” – is made known through the Law (consider Rm. 7:7, 8) . Like using a mirror to see a blemish on our face, the law shows us our faults but can’t remove them.
These first four commandments focus on the relationship between the Israelites and God: Give Me first place, make no image of Me, never use My name frivolously, and observe the Sabbath. The Israelites, confident in their ability to obey, thought they could establish their own righteousness by following rules (Ex. 24:3, Rm. 10:3). This same approach to righteousness was proposed by some in the early church – “command them to keep the law of Moses” (Acts 15:5).
How have I sinned? Maybe instead of allowing the Law to do its fault finding, you have tried to follow it as the way to righteous living. Perhaps you are “testing God” in a way the Apostle Peter warned against (Acts 15:10). If the Spirit convicts, confess and be restored; but don’t change your conduct without His leading – because even following sound teaching is a “falling short” if it is not done by faith (Rm. 14:23)!
God’s words from Sinai terrified the Israelites (Ex. 19:16, 20:18). Today His Spirit prompts us to call to Him with the closest of family terms – “Papa” or “Daddy” (Rm. 8:15, Gal. 4:6). To be prompted by Him to such intimacy, but to insist instead on formality, may be another “falling short.” I know many older people for whom I express respect by calling them “Mr.” or “Mrs.”. But when one of them asks me to call them by their first name, I show disrespect if I continue with the formalities. I invite you to “draw near” to “Papa” today, receive His expressions of love to you, and respond from your heart. “In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us, and gave His Son to wash away our sins and give us His blessings” (1 Jn. 4:10).
May our thoughts and words about Him be pure.
Prayer
Daddy, I draw near to you today and desire to honor You in all I think, do and say.