Do the Word

There was a bit of animosity. Hurtful words wounded feelings, and it was apparent, at least within the family.

My mother-in-law mentioned it, but I could agree with her then simply ignore the comment. It is expected that MiLs will interfere and everyone knows they can be ignored.

When we returned home that week my Mom mentioned it, too. Not a problem, I had been ignoring her advice for a long time. Besides, she agreed that there was fault on both sides. She did mention, however, that the other person would never make the first move; that it was up to me to step forward and find resolution. Well, I’d think about.

Then Sunday of that same week the pastor preached on forgiveness.

Do you get the idea that God was trying to tell me something? Well, only if God is real and speaks to His children.

Because we believe He is, and because we’ve experienced examples of His work in our lives, we heed the word of the Lord. He has been specific is what is important. Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 and:

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. (Luke 10:27 KJV)

Without following this commandment we would be as those the Bible speaks of as doing right in one’s own eyes. Moses said the children of Israel would learn not to do so:

Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. (Deuteronomy 12:8 KJV)

Instead, they were told:

When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God. (Deuteronomy 13:18 KJV)

Almost immediately, they forgot. We’re told a couple of times in Judges that … every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6b KJV)

The result of which is found in Judges 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6, 13:1: And the children of Israel did evil.

God’s law did not change from the time Moses gave it to the time Christ confirmed it. It has been explained, discussed, followed and ignored for thousands of years, but it remains. As do the words Moses used to explain it and tell us to do it:

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. (Deuteronomy 30:11-14 KJV)