Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20 (Chapter 20)
Moses led the people to Mt. Sinai. A year earlier he was keeping his flocks when he saw a burning bush, stepped on Holy ground and heard God’s call. On this day, Moses climbs the familiar mountain to meet face to face with his faithful God and receive the laws that will create a Holy nation, who’s design is to bless the entire world.
In the beginning God spoke life into being. Now He speaks the words for living. The elemental foundation of ethical norms for all people, of all ages, begins in the first Ten Commandments. God’s concern for the whole of life is evident in His standards for family and community relationships. Human life, sex, property, speech and thought are all addressed.
As our Maker, God knows us best and knows what’s best. Reverence for His Holiness is the basic principle of how we approach Him. Jesus said, “Hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9) And later He summarizes all of God’s law into two things; love God and love one another. When we are busy loving like Jesus loves, we won’t have time to sin. God made it that easy!
Have a Great Weekend Eve,
Gretchen
How ironic; if the whole point of the experience was “…so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning…” then why would Moses admonish them NOT to fear? Your last sentence makes the connection that few today seem able to make: if perfect LOVE banishes all FEAR, then the presence of fear in one’s heart demonstrates that one has stepped out of perfect love, and that is the definition of SIN.