Deuteronomy 5: All or Nothing

"Follow the whole instruction the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess."

Deuteronomy 5:33

This decree comes immediately after the second telling of the Ten Commandments.  These are the Laws given directly from the mouth of God to the people of Israel - the "moral law" which most would argue is the Lord's ultimate Law for all mankind.

Several of these Commandments are directly related to worshiping God - 1) have no other gods, 2) make no idols, 3) don't misuse God's name, and 4) honor the sabbath.  The last six relate to interactions with other people.  Honor your parents.  Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, or lie.  Do not desire that which does not belong to you.

Every religion, every culture, has its own set of rules by which they operate.  The first four of God's Ten Commandments are stated differently in other religions, but the sentiment remains: be faithful to your God.  The rest also tend to be worded a little differently, but the idea is still present: be a good neighbor.  Jesus summed up all of the Law into two simple sentences, which I think plainly speak the truth of what all men believe:

"He said to him, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and most important commandment.  The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.'"

Matthew 22:37-40

In both of the passages I have quoted today, the Lord warns us to give our all.  "Follow the whole instruction..."  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart..."  Giving yourself halfway is not enough.  That's not to say God won't love you or accept you if you only give halfway.  It just means that you won't have the full capacity to "live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess."

Challenge of the Day:

Whether you (the reader) are a Christian believer or not, try following this "golden rule" and see how things turn out.  Treat all those around you the way that you would want them to treat you.  See how many of them treat you positively in return.  See how it changes your attitude when others fail to treat you kindly.  When you reach the point where you are able to be still and joyful in the most frustrating, trying times, that's when you truly know God, and are close to Him.

Prayer of the Day:

I have fallen far from where You once held me.  Help me as I struggle to put those pieces back together.  Build me up stronger than I was before so that the same trials will not destroy me again.  Shelter me from the trials that come while I'm rebuilding, and give me strength to stand firm when the recovery is finished.  Be the cornerstone, the solid rock foundation on which I build my life.  Amen.