God's law is an expression of God's nature
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| English: The Ten Commandments, illustration from a Bible card published by the Providence Lithograph Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
It is vitally important that, even though we are saved by grace and not by the works of the law, we never forget that God's law is essentially a statement of God's holiness. We should desire to know and follow God's commandments simply because they are "holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7:12), not because we seek salvation through them.
It is noteworthy that the anonymous writer of the longest chapter in the Bible (Psalm 119), in which practically every verse refers to the Scriptures, stressed seven times that he would never forget the laws and commandments of his Lord. May the Lord teach us to share the same determination. Note:
"I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word" (v. 16).
"For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes" (v. 83).
"I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me" (v. 93).
"My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law" (v. 109).
"I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts" (v. 141).
"Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law" (v. 153).
"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments" (v. 176).
This seventh reference is actually the closing verse of this remarkable 119th Psalm. It beautifully points up the urgency of not forgetting the commandments of God. He will seek us when we stray and bring us back home to Him, for we remember and love His law.
