Old Testament Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1 – 6 (KJV)
Deu 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deu 4:3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
Deu 4:4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.
Deu 4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.
Deu 4:6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:9 – 15 (KJV)
Gal 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) God’s Law is spiritual, because it came from God, Who is Spirit, and His Word is therefore, Holy so that the Word itself is a Spiritual thing, which believers must meditate on in order to acquire the ability to obey God, which does not come natural to fallen sinners.
2) Without the intervention of God the Spirit, our flesh could never please God, nor would we even desire to do so, but God Who is rich in mercy has provided His Spirit and His Son, Jesus, to make sure that we who believe Him can be saved by His Grace as we learn to rely on His Word and Spirit!
3) We all who are saved, are being taught to set a target of “love” as our goal as we develop in spiritual growth through discipleship, as we learn to practice not from a stand point of going through the motions of law keeping, but rather from setting Christ Jesus as a role model Who also relied on the Spirit as He Alone provided acceptable satisfaction to the Father for all who believe in Him!