The Right Kind of Commitment

The Right Kind of Commitment

Deuteronomy 6:1-6

Deuteronomy 6 gives us a direct look into how the Israelites were to keep the Law that God had recently given them. The first 6 verses can show us elements that we as Christians can apply to our lives as well.

We must keep God’s commandments, understand the importance of obedience, and love the LORD with all that is within us. This will translate into good fruits for the LORD.

I. Keep the commandments with reverence (v.1-2)

A. Commandments, statutes, judgements

1. Commandment is something God says, statute is what God expects, and judgment is what God decides

2. In our lives, it's important to see this relationship of “cause and effect” in our service to God

3. God was expecting the Israelites to do His commands in the land He would give them.

4. Same expectation today. Jesus told His apostles to go and baptize, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20)

B. Fear the LORD

1. First thing said in v. 2 – It’s VERY important to fear the LORD!

2. It is a proper fear of RESPECT and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

a. RESPECT of God’s qualities

b. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of God’s power

3. Acts 9:31 – Churches through all Judea, Samaria, and Galilee were “walking in the fear of the LORD, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost”

a. The two complement each other – fear and comfort

4. 1 peter 1:17 – “if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear”

a. A proper fear of God must be attached to our individual actions (every person’s work) – we are not saved by our works (Eph 2:8), but we can be condemned by our works!

5. 1 peter 3:15 – “sanctify the LORD GOD in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”

a. Fear coupled with meekness should be present in our basic understanding; without them we will have a harder time talking to others about the truth!

C. Keep ALL His statutes and commandments

1. Some want to pick apart the Bible and follow what they choose. They put the focus on themselves, and NOT on God!

2. We must follow the WHOLE Bible.

a. 2Tim3:16 – “ALL scripture…”

D. Keep them “all the days of thy life”

1. Common phrase in scripture

a. Genesis 3 – God said serpent would be on his belly “all the days of thy life”; man was told he would eat of the ground in sorrow “all the days of thy life”

2. Do we give God full attention in all of our days?

a. If we are not, it is because we do not truly fear Him!

II. The importance of obedience (v.3)

A. So that it is “well with thee”

1. Our being is incomplete without service to God.

B. That you may “increase mightily”

1. Constant improvement in that service.

C. That you may inherit the reward

1. For the Israelites, Canaan; for us, heaven

D. We need to understand the aspect of God truly being our Father

1. A child, if his/her heart is right, is going to crave the approval of the parents. Why can’t our focus be on God’s approval of us?

2. Many have unrealistic expectations – “healthy, wealthy, and wise” doctrine.

a. When these expectations aren’t realized, many stop obeying

3. Pure motives in our obedience can make all the difference!

III. Love the LORD with ALL YOU ARE (v.4-6)

1. The LORD is ONE LORD

a. Ephesians 4:5 – “One lord, one faith, one baptism”

b. Dual meaning – The LORD is one existence, but the LORD is also unified in Himself – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work toward the same goals

2. Love Him with ALL heart, soul, might

a. Matt 22:34-40 – The most important parts of what you are - It must be with ALL, not some!

b. Ecc 12:13 – “…the whole duty of man” “…for this is man’s all”

3. If commandments are followed, they will be in your heart

a. Jer 31:31-34 – The law should be written in our hearts!

b. Matt 7:15-20 – If the WORD is in our hearts, our good fruit will be shown