First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways and to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and his statutes which I command you today for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, NKJV).

A question is asked of Israel: “What does the Lord require of you?” The same question could be asked of us today – just what does the Lord require or expect of us?

Moses gives them, and us, five requirements: 1) “Fear the Lord your God,” meaning to hold a sense of reverence. The apostle John wrote in Revelations 14:6-7, “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue and people—saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’” We are given clear instruction to fear God by giving the glory to him and worshiping him.

2) “Walk in all of his ways.” We should conduct our lives according to God’s will. The apostle Paul said this in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

3) “Love him.” We must give our affections to the Lord and him alone. The first and greatest commandment comes to mind here, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” (Matthew 22:37).

4) “Serve him,” meaning we must be a bondservant, which will show our love and affection toward him. James, the half-brother of Jesus, and Paul called themselves bondservants of Jesus Christ, which gives example of service to the Lord.

5) “Keep his commandments.” This is a call to obedience. 1 John 5:3-5 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep (obey) his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—your faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the son of God.

God calls us to have not only a fear of reverence and awe for who he is as a loving father, but also a frightful sort of fear for him as the supreme judge. We should be compelled to walk in his ways, seeking his will in our lives because we love him and desire to serve and obey his commands.