Why is it important to "keep and do" God's statutes and ordinances? Setting the Scene “And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God, for our own good always and for our preservation, as it is today.” (Deuteronomy 6:24) Why “keep and do” matters—eight clear reasons • For our good – God explicitly ties obedience to our well-being. – “If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29) • For preservation and protection – His commands fence us off from spiritual and physical ruin. – “Keep His statutes and commandments… so that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may live long in the land” (Deuteronomy 4:40). • To reflect His character – Statutes mirror God’s holiness; obeying them makes His nature visible in daily life (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16). • To display wisdom to a watching world – “Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples” (Deuteronomy 4:6). – Our obedience becomes a testimony that the Lord is near and His ways are good. • To enjoy covenant intimacy – Obedience is the heartbeat of love for God. – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). – “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). • To secure blessing—not earn salvation – Grace brings us into relationship; obedience keeps us under the spout of blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). – James 1:25 calls God’s law “the perfect law of freedom” that brings blessing to “the one… who is an effective doer.” • To shape future generations – Faithful parents hand off a lived faith, not just words. – Deuteronomy 6:6-7 urges continual talk of God’s commands at home, on the road, morning and night. • To point forward to Christ – The statutes foreshadow the righteousness Christ fulfills (Matthew 5:17). – By keeping them, we both honor His finished work and anticipate His kingdom where “your statutes are my song” (Psalm 119:54). Practical steps for “keeping and doing” 1. Read the Word daily—let God speak first. 2. Memorize key commands; write them on doorposts of heart and home (Deuteronomy 6:9). 3. Ask, “How does this verse reveal God’s character, and what response does it call for today?” 4. Act promptly; delayed obedience breeds forgetfulness. 5. Teach what you’re learning—nothing cements truth like sharing it. 6. Celebrate victories and confess failures quickly (1 John 1:9). The bottom line God’s statutes and ordinances are not heavy chains but life-giving tracks to run on. Keeping and doing them secures our good, shields our lives, showcases His wisdom, deepens our love, blesses our children, and magnifies Christ until He comes. |
    |