Day 93: Living Out the Truth: A Call to Follow God's Commandments

In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in what we must do and forget the foundational principles guiding our faith. But as followers of Christ, we're called not just to follow some truths but to embrace them fully—because when it comes to the Word of God, all parts of truth must be followed, or none of it matters. Today, we’ll explore this profound principle and how we can apply it to our everyday lives.

The Biblical Principle: Truth Must Be Followed in Its Entirety

The Bible gives us clear guidelines for living, and each piece of truth is interconnected. To fully honor God, we can't just pick and choose which parts of His commands we want to follow. Instead, we're called to embrace the fullness of His Word. In Deuteronomy 6:5-12, God presents us with a clear set of instructions that are not just for Israel but for all believers:

1. Keep His Commandments
   “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
   God commands us to love Him with everything we have. This love goes beyond words; it means living out His commandments in every area of life. When we obey God’s commandments, we show our love for Him in action.

2. Teach His Commandments to Your Children
   “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
   It’s not enough for us to live according to God's Word—we must also pass it on to the next generation. Whether at home, on a walk, or at the dinner table, every moment is an opportunity to teach our children about God's love and His ways.

3. Forget Not the Lord in Times of Prosperity
   “Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 6:12)
   It’s easy to forget where our blessings come from when things are going well. God reminds us that, in times of abundance, we must never forget Him and His goodness. In those moments of prosperity, we must be extra diligent in remembering the Lord and giving Him the glory He deserves.

The Practical Application: Keeping God at the Center

Living out these principles requires more than just understanding them intellectually—it requires a deliberate effort to put them into practice. This is where the Christian walk gets real. It’s one thing to talk about loving God, teaching our children, and remembering Him; it’s another to live it out day by day.

In the practical sense, following all the laws and teaching everyone around you about them is useless if you forget it's all about the Lord. The Pharisees and Sadducees were experts in religious rituals, but their hearts were far from God. In Matthew 16:4-12, Jesus warns His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees—the tiny sin of pride that can creep in when we focus more on our actions than on God Himself:

"Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6)
Jesus wasn't talking about bread; He warned His disciples against a mindset that elevates religious actions over a relationship with God. We must be careful not to let pride or the desire to "look good" in our Christian walk overshadow the true purpose of our faith: to love and honor God in all things.

A Call to Deliberate Purpose

Our walk with God is not a passive journey. We must intentionally keep His commandments, teach them to those around us, and never forget the source of our blessings, especially in times of success. If we’re not careful, we can easily slip into a routine where we go through the motions without remembering the deep purpose behind it all.

As you reflect on this principle today, ask yourself: Am I following all of God's commandments? Am I teaching my children and others about His ways? And, most importantly, am I keeping God at the center of my life, especially when things are going well?

The Christian walk is about more than actions—a heart entirely devoted to God. Let’s commit to following all parts of the truth, not just the easy ones, but the hard ones too, because when we do, we align ourselves with God’s perfect plan for our lives.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth found in Your Word. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, and might. Give us the strength to teach Your commandments to those around us and live them out sincerely. Protect us from the pride of the Pharisees, and keep us humble before You. May we never forget Your goodness, especially when we are blessed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Takeaway for Today:
Following God’s Word is not just a duty but a privilege. May we strive to keep His commandments, teach them to others, and always remember the Lord, in both good and bad.