Then God spoke all these words:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:1-2

Have you noticed in reading the Bible that what God has done, is doing, will do for us always precedes any command for us to obey? Minding that difference means the difference between falling into moralism and legalism, versus living in the freedom and power of the Gospel. Moralism and legalism command “Do!” while the Gospel declares “Done!” Minding the difference between what God does and what we do in response, prevents misunderstandings about grace, salvation, and obedience.

Note this critical difference in today’s scripture in which God first reminds His people what He has done for them, pledging Himself to them as their God and Redeemer. Only then does God command them to do anything: “you shall have no other gods before me.” God’s commandments are instructions on how people are to live in the light of what God has done for them. God has already redeemed Israel from slavery, not because of their obedience, but because of His love and grace. The commandments teach how best to live in response to God’s saving work. The people are not to obey in order to earn God’s favor, but because they have already received God’s favor. Their obedience is their grateful response to God’s love and salvation.

A classic New Testament example of this is found in Romans 12:1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” The apostle Paul’s appeal is grounded in “the mercies of God” that he has explained in Romans 1-11. Before we are ever asked to do one thing for God, He first sets forth what He has done for us! Whatever God asks of you is always preceded by the wonder of what God has done for you.

Minding this critical difference in Scripture between what God has done and what we do in response is foundational for Christian living. It keeps us centered on God’s grace while calling forth our response in grateful obedience. By minding that difference we are set free to live in the grace and power of God’s Good News. We rest secure in knowing that our identity and security always rest in what God has done for us! “The essence of Christian theology is grace; the essence of Christian living is gratitude.” (G. C. Berkouwer).

By God’s grace, may we respond in grateful love!

A fellow traveler,
Tim