Day 36

Why Do What Is Right? 

Read: Leviticus 19-21

Again and again in this passage God states what his people should and should not do. Then the statement is made over and over again, “I am the LORD your God.” In other words, act in this fashion for this reason: because I am your God. Here also is our motivation for righteous living. God has entered into a covenant of grace with us. He is a God of righteousness and therefore he expects a high standard of morality from his people—his standard.

The reason for not stealing, for not oppressing other people, for not hating our brother or sister, and a host of other things is this: God has been gracious to us, making us his people, calling us to obey. We are to act as he wants us to act.

The reason for much immoral and unethical conduct today is unbelief. Sound theology leads to sound ethics.

In the midst of this passage are the words, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” When Jesus spoke these words, he was quoting from Leviticus. He was reaffirming the teaching of the Old Testament. He said that this commandment, coupled with the great and first commandment to love God supremely, led to all the others. We are not only to love people; we are to love them as much as we love ourselves. This love is not sentimentality; it is a determination to treat other people in a way that will be helpful to them.

PRAYER
Father, we hear your call to ethical behavior, and we know the reason for such living: you are our God. In Christ. Amen.