Day 25
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| Moses presenting the Law--the Ten Commandments |
Observation
At Mount Sinai—A setting designed to focus on the majesty and holiness of God—the people receive their charter as God’s chosen nation. After declaring their willingness to abide by the commands they are about to receive, the Israelites spend two days preparing themselves to hear God’s voice. On the third day, accompanied by an awesome display of God’s power, Moses receives the Ten Commandments—the broad moral principles on which the nation’s conduct will be based.
Application
Scene One: You are suspended by a chain over a deep abyss, fearing for your life, when a companion offers this comforting remark. “Don’t worry, all but one of the links will hold your weight.”
Scene Two: You are in a furniture store looking for a mirror to adorn your living room when you come across a display that reads: Nearly Perfect Mirrors for Sale—Only One Crack in Each.
What do these two tales have in common? They both illustrate the folly of trying to be saved by keeping the law.
Only one broken link in an otherwise perfect chain plunges you to your death. Only one crack ruins your entire mirror. “And the person who keeps every law of God, but makes one little slip, is just guilty as the person who has broken every law there is” (James 2:10).
In order to be saved by keeping the law—during the best you can—you would have to keep it absolutely in every point throughout your lifetime. And, no one but Jesus Christ could ever do that! According to Galations 3:24, the purpose of the law was not to save you, but to show you what sin is, and to point you to the Lamb of God, who alone can take it away (John 1:29).
Scene Three: Jesus waits for you to admit you cannot save yourself and to turn to him as the answer. If you haven’t, you can do it today!
Scene Two: You are in a furniture store looking for a mirror to adorn your living room when you come across a display that reads: Nearly Perfect Mirrors for Sale—Only One Crack in Each.
What do these two tales have in common? They both illustrate the folly of trying to be saved by keeping the law.
Only one broken link in an otherwise perfect chain plunges you to your death. Only one crack ruins your entire mirror. “And the person who keeps every law of God, but makes one little slip, is just guilty as the person who has broken every law there is” (James 2:10).
In order to be saved by keeping the law—during the best you can—you would have to keep it absolutely in every point throughout your lifetime. And, no one but Jesus Christ could ever do that! According to Galations 3:24, the purpose of the law was not to save you, but to show you what sin is, and to point you to the Lamb of God, who alone can take it away (John 1:29).
Scene Three: Jesus waits for you to admit you cannot save yourself and to turn to him as the answer. If you haven’t, you can do it today!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise that if we confess our sins, and admit that we are in need of a savior, you are faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Amen.
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| The Cross—Jesus Law! |
