December 17, 2001
Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 30
EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Service to God involves more than the lips
___Deuteronomy 6:4-25
___By Pete Freeman
___First Baptist Church, The Woodlands
___Suppose you had two people whom you refer to as friends. You may have known them for a number of years. Now, let's assume you are facing a personal crisis in your life. Both of these individuals have come to you, and both have said, "You know I love you and will do anything I can for you." This comforts you immediately.
___Yet over a period of six months, you have noticed something different about your two friends. Although both articulated their love for you, only onehas actually done anything to show that love. That person has brought your meals, written you notes of encouragement and visited with you when you needed them. The other person hasn't made contact with you since they told you they loved you.
See Jan. 6 lesson here
___Now, which one of these two people you referred to as friends is in reality your friend? Isit the one who said they loved you and hasn't contacted you since, or is it the one who said they loved you and has been doing all they can for you? What an easy answer. It is so obvious to anyone that the person who not only said they loved and showed that love is the one who actually loves. Does this same kind of "love test" apply to our relationship with God? I think so.
___In our text for this week, the writer makes a very strong connection between love stated and love demonstrated. He blows away the idea that love is just a feeling. Real love is intricately intertwined with all that an intimate relationship encompasses.
___According to Moses, that relationship has its beginnings with the realization that "the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Variant readings of this phrase include "the Lord is one Lord; the Lord alone." The primary thrust of this phrase is "there is truly only one God." Therefore, to "love" this one God is have a relationship with him that involves everything about a person's being. The words "heart, soul and strength" are describing the depth of what an intimate relationship is all about. The Disciple Study Bible says that faith in this one God "is meant to be a living relationship involving the totality of life."
___Put another way, if we are connected to the one and only God, it will have an awesome impact on what we say, what we do and how we relate to people. Anything short of this kind of understanding about a relationship with God is inadequate. Jesus articulated this understanding in speaking about those who love him (Matthew 22:37-40).
___Deuteronomy 6:4-9 became the Jewish confession of faith. The "Shema" was to be read in the Jewish worship services, and every faithful Jew in Israel was required to read it twice daily. Some have taken these verses literally. Many Jews bound the word on their forehead during times of worship and placed it on the doorposts in a small box (a mezuzah) during the week. The intent was to keep the love relationship with God before the people at all times. Of course, like many of God's teachings, faithfulness to this command became a matter of externals rather than internals. Rituals and traditions became more important than actual obedience.
___Verses 10-12 are like a preacher chasing a "worthy rabbit" during the middle of his sermon. Moses offers a forward look with a 180-degree turn. He visualizes the wonderful future of the Israelites in the Promised Land but quickly reminds them where they've been. The connection between the past and the future is found in the words, "be careful that you do not forget the Lord." The implication is gratefulness on the part of the people. Here, we are taught to show greater love to the giver than we do to the gifts.
___In verses 20-23, we find the author using the natural questions of children as opportunities for teaching. In particular, one is able to share a history lesson about the relationship of the love and blessings of God. These verses are full of implications. For example, the existence of the son's question implies a parent's instructions. The son was responding to what he had been taught. There is also the implication that history is a good tool for learning. Parents have the responsibility of equipping their children with a history of both biblical and personal spiritual knowledge.
___I recently visited a Baptist family who had moved into our community. There were three children and a teenager in this family. Upon inquiring about their children's relationship to the Lord, the father said, "Oh, we don't determine the religion of our children. We let them go to church (or not go) where they want to go." It was obvious that these children had received no religious training from their parents.
___Everyone is biased in some form or fashion. I am biased about Jesus Christ. Therefore, whether they responded positively or negatively, I taught my kids about the God of holy history; about how he created each of them; and how he wants to have an intimate relationship with them. I didn't see such instruction as limiting my kids, but expanding their options in life. Parents, not kids, ought to decide where the family attends church.
___Moses ends with a promise about the relationship of love and obedience in verses 24-25. Let us never apologize about the fact love for the Lord expressed in obedience always results in something good for the child of God (6:24).
___Questions for discussion
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