BINDING OATH
Fifth
of six devotions in Covenantal Alignment
series
James
1:25: “But the man who looks intently
into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not
forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”
What is the “Perfect Law” that
Believers are supposed to continue DOing after hearing? That is the moral and ethical Christian
teaching based on Old Testament Ten Commandment morality. Jesus completely fulfilled that law. Doing, or living in obedience to God’s law brings
freedom for people to BE how God originally intended.
This is God’s covenantal promise: IF we live this way, (how God originally
created us to be), He will bless us.
Covenants are interactive Cause-Effect oaths. Oaths attached to interactive covenants are
promises of blessings for obedience as well as promises of penalties or punishment
for disobedience.
Covenants are binding. Both sides agree to the rules. If one side fails to keep the oath, the
covenant is broken. The Bible includes
many stories where those who keep God’s Word are blessed. And the Bible shows God contrasting alignment
to misalignment with his covenant.
Check out Deuteronomy 28. The Israelites were finally entering the
Promised Land! God set rules for their
behavior so they wouldn’t be surprised when, (not if), they are punished for disobedience. God knows human behavior very well. So well
in fact, that he heaped ALL human sin (past present and future) onto His Son
Jesus when He hung on the cross.
God’s all-knowing must be a heavy
burden for him to carry 24/7.
Seriously, check out Deuteronomy 28:1-14. God lists covenant promises for
obedience. Then, verses 15-57 list
curses for disobedience. He knows us way
too well! Then verse 58 warns people to
follow God’s law—OR ELSE—verses 59-68 list scary curse penalties that follow
disobedience.
Deuteronomy 29 writes about renewing
this covenant. God discusses His
covenant laws, then wants us to sign His agreement on the bottom line. Who wouldn’t choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19)?
Binding oath signed. So now we definitely
want to remain aligned with God’s covenant and receive blessings in all we do!
Take Home Nugget
Baptism—what every Believer is
commanded to do—is a binding oath. One decides
to publically announce following Jesus.
Water is the outward sign of the person’s careful inner decision,
signaling agreement with the oath: Sinful
self is buried under water with Christ. A
new creation rises out of the water to follow Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Upon my oath, Father, may good
come to me as I follow Your Son. I
expect evil to come upon me if I reject Him.
Jesus, by your strength, and in Your name, lead me to be obedient. Amen.
Adapted from “Sanctions: Provisions that Make a Law Binding.” Dr. Tony Evans. December 23, 2015. http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view/
J.D. Griffith
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