Shamed by the Commands

October 1

(Psalm 119:1-6 NIV) “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. {2} Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. {3} They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. {4} You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. {5} Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! {6} Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.”

(Romans 3:22-24 NIV)  "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

(Romans 10:11-13 NIV) “As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

There are two ways to be blessed by God: obey all the commandments or trust in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Obeying the commandments is not a bad thing. It’s just that there are so many of them and there will always be some command area where we fall short. Scripture says that falling short is sin and sin separates us from God. So in our striving to be blessed by keeping the law of God, we can actually end up being separated from God. This is why trusting in the name of the Lord is a better choice when it comes to being blessed. When we trust in Him, we will never be put to shame. We still work at living a blameless life. We still seek Him with all our heart. We still walk in His ways. We still work at fully obeying the commandments. But when we fall short (and we all do) we have a Savior who loves us. Genuine faith in Christ will remove all shame. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day