Laws for a Loving Community

Living in Denial

Sometimes what we know and what we feel align with ease but the challenging part of life is when we know what is right but we don’t feel like or want to do it.

The verses in today’s passage land in this category of things we might get wrong if we follow our feelings and desires rather than following what we know God says is right.

I can only provide specific examples that may or may not fit your life. You have to do the hard work of aligning your life with God’s word. As you do, you will see the areas that need adjustment.

What I know vs. what i feel

Which drives your decisions?

I know McDonalds is bad for me . . . but I feel like eating a big mac.

I know I need to not gossip . . . but I feel like I want to talk about them.

I know I should encourage my spouse . . . but I feel angry with their mistakes.

I know _______________ . . . but I feel _______________.

Let’s take a look at our passage for today.

Today’s passage is a collection of laws that were given to the Israelites during Moses last sermon as they prepared to enter the promise land. In some ways, the laws stand on their own but there is a thread that ties them together. That thread is the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

Let’s Read:

Deuteronomy 22:1–8 ESV

1 “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. 2 And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him. 3 And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother’s, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. 4 You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again. 5 “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. 6 “If you come across a bird’s nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young. 7 You shall let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may go well with you, and that you may live long. 8 “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it.

Four Laws of a Loving Community

How do we look at these laws today?

As we look at these laws today we have to remember that God gave these to Israel so that their nation would be a light to the world. It would be a place where the one true God, our creator, was worshipped in every way. This would have been in contrast to the sinful practices of the surrounding nations.

Today, we are God’s holy nation. The church is called to live with these principles so that we can be a light to the world around us. We are to worship God in the way that we live. What this means is that we live in obedience to God just like Jesus did. We give of our lives in order to serve others, just like Jesus did. These are practices that we bring into the world even though the world rejects them.

So, many times, God will call you to do what you know is right . . . not what you feel like doing. We have to work hard to align our feelings and desires with the will of God.

Law One: Do not neglect to do good.

Deuteronomy 22:1–4 ESV

1 “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. 2 And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him. 3 And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother’s, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. 4 You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again.

When you find something that your neighbor needs to live and thrive, how do you treat that thing?

When you see a neighbor in hardship, what is your response?

Why is it a struggle to obey this one?

It’s gonna cost you.

time

money

energy

focus

I know I have to take care of my neighbor’s property but I feel like ignoring it and hoping it will be taken care of by someone else.

Law Two: Do not pervert the truth.

Deuteronomy 22:5 ESV

5 “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.

Abomination: A thing that causes disgust and/or hatred

Pervert: alter (something) from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.

Other verses that list things that are an abomination to the Lord:

Proverbs 6:16–19 ESV

16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Leviticus 18:6 ESV

6 “None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 18:22 ESV

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Proverbs 11:20 ESV

20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.

I know that God says sex and sexuality are clearly defined by him in nature but I feel like denying my natural state and doing what pleases me.

Law Three: Do not be greedy.

Deuteronomy 22:6–7 ESV

6 “If you come across a bird’s nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young. 7 You shall let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may go well with you, and that you may live long.

I know God says to consider the needs of others but I feel like taking everything I can get while I can get it because I want it or might need it later.

Law Four: Do not be negligent.

Deuteronomy 22:8 ESV

8 “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it.

I know God wants me to look out for the safety of others but I feel like people should just be smart enough to take care of themselves.

Living in Loving Community

If we take these four principles and apply them to ourselves they help us create a community that cares for those in need, draws people to the truth, and above all brings glory to God. Think about the four laws real quick:

Law One: Do not neglect to do good.

Law Two: Do not pervert the truth.

Law Three: Do not be greedy.

Law Four: Do not be negligent.

Our inner voice likes to act like a lawyer debating what is right and wrong. We give excuses why we couldn’t stop and help, why our actions are justified, and why the cost of doing the right thing was just too high. Here is what I think Jesus would challenge us with:

Luke 10:25–37 ESV

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Who is your neighbor? Your neighbor is the person you can help with your actions, your examples, and your resources. We have a lot more neighbors in this modern age. The question is, are you doing what you can to make a difference in the lives of others or are you spending your days navel gazing and wondering how to make yourself happy? In one life, others will see God. In the other life, they may not even see you.

Luke 9:23–25 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

As we come to the communion table we are reminded of just what it looks like to take up a cross. To take up the cross is to step into complete surrender of self for the sake of others. Jesus held on to his love for the father, his love for us, and surrendered everything else. As we remember his sacrifice we must consider the life that he has called us to. As we spend time in silence, reflect on what God is calling you to do. Repent of sin and ask God to strengthen you to do his will.