Probably very few of us, or perhaps none, would say that Deuteronomy is our favorite book of the Bible. It’s easy to get bored with the endless list of laws, especially since so many of them seem to only be relevant particularly for the people of Israel. Plus, we might think, isn’t the Law completely irrelevant now that we are free in Christ?
Quite the contrary! The Law informs all of the rest of the Bible, and the rest of the Bible constantly looks back to it. In the Law that God gave to the people through Moses, we are shown what his holiness, his righteousness, and his goodness look like in practice. We are shown how a whole community of God-worshiping people can learn to live with their eyes set on their creator and king. And God’s holiness doesn’t change. So even in the New Testament, we are pointed back to the Law to understand that holiness.
Take this passage, for example. Be generous, and give freely to the poor. Love even your lowliest neighbors, because God loves them. Don’t we see how the whole New Testament is demonstrating that same kind of love to us? It has always been our responsibility to love others above ourselves, even when it means sacrifice. If we love the Lord and his love is in us, we will naturally want to obey his commandments.
Don’t take it lightly that Christ said he came to fulfill every single part of the Law. He showed that perfect, sacrificial love to the utmost. Yesterday, we commemorated his crucifixion, which was his great sacrifice for our sake. He gave up everything; he gave us everything. What incredible love! So why should we think we have anything that’s not worth giving back?
One of our greatest talents is coming up with excuses not to be generous. We could probably invent twenty on the spot when we encounter someone in need. But how often do we give with utter freedom, as if everything we have is a gift from Jesus meant to be used to further his kingdom? Give to your brothers and sisters in need, as much and as often as you can. Keep the Lord’s commandments, and in doing so, actively love him. This is what it means to rejoice in the gospel by showing love!
