26 “‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’" Deuteronomy 27:26 ESV
Today there will be thousands of "Christians" populating pews across America. Presbyterian, Baptists, Lutheran, and Assembly of Godders. Most of these are well-meaning, kind-hearted people. They give some money to their church, enjoy coming together in their places of worship, and know the words to many of the songs included in the hymnals. But many are also cursed.
Thousands of years ago, Moses made it clear that knowledge of the law was not enough to bring about a blessing. Now in Moses day, the law was quite extensive and required many acts of obedience, sacrifice, and atonement. Christ came to fulfill the law and because of his sacrifice, we no longer have to follow the dozens of laws and statutes handed down in Deuteronomy. Jesus condensed Old Testament law into two all-encompassing maxims for Christians.
35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:35-40 ESV
The pew people know these verses. Many of them can repeat it verbatim. Most would nod their heads in agreement. But do they "confirm the words of this law by doing them"? Are their lives a reflection of these two commandments?
Hell will be packed with pew people who knew the "law" but whose lives bore no fruit through their actions. Our salvation is not dependent on our actions, but is confirmed when we put the two greatest commandments into action.
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