“Hear, O Israel: The Lord
our God, the Lord is one*. Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6
These
verses are what the Jews refer to as the Shema in their services. It could also be called the Creed of the Jews. The Jews were and still are bound by the
Mosaic Law and hundreds of offshoot laws that they have added. The Law was meant to shine a light on man’s
sinfulness. God knew the children of
Israel, nor any man for that matter, could adhere to every letter of His law,
therefore the Lord set up a sacrificial system to provide a covering for man’s
sin.
The
Law today does not bind believers for they are under God’s umbrella of grace or
undeserved favor. Once their sins have
been forgiven they begin to live an altered life. God’s plan is for man to make a 180-degree
turn away from their previous life. No
mortal man could ever live a perfect life, which is why Christ came to pay for
our sins. It was a debt that we could never pay. If we love God with all our heart, mind, soul
& strength (Mark 12:30), we will live according to His laws despite not
being bound by them. “This is the language of devotion. God does
not demand mere outward obedience to a law, but the heartfelt love and
commitment of the whole person (Prov. 23:26).” 1
The
Bible is very clear in its assertion that Jehovah is the one and only God. The prophet Isaiah proclaims on the Lords
behalf the following: “This is what the Lord says — Israel’s King and Redeemer,
the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no
God.” (Isaiah 44:6) As believers we are to take our relationship
with God seriously. Our sins were
removed from us for all time, never to be held against us again. That is reason enough to love with all that
is within us God and follow His decrees.
Until Christ returns, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resources: Barnes Notes on the Bible.
* It
can also read “The Lord our God is one Lord.”
1 The Reformation Study Bible; Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me your heart and let your
eyes delight in my ways, … .”
NOTE: “The
God whom we worship is Jehovah; a Being infinitely and eternally perfect, self-existent,
and self- sufficient. He is the only living and true God, he only is God, and
he is but one.” [Benson Commentary]
