Today’s Reading: Neh 10:28–11:36, 1 John 5:17–21, Ps 113:1–114:8

Today’s Themes:  Obligations of the Covenant

All covenants contain obligations for those included in the terms of the covenant. We need to realise we have obligations to fulfil and seek God’s mercy for the times we fail to meet our obligations. God’s grace does not mean we are free from responsibility, on the contrary we are obliged by the covenant to obey God’s commands.

Nehemiah 10:28–11:36

We have obligations to fulfil

join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes. Nehemiah 10:29 (ESV)

Every covenant comes with obligations that both parties need to hold to or the covenant is broken. We already know that God cannot lie or fail so He remains faithful and upholds His end of any covenant He has made with us.

We like the people need to pledge our allegiance to God. We are obligated to obey God’s word and live as He has guided. We should not live only for ourselves, we should live for God and others.

Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Paul told us in Romans 1:14 “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. (to preach the gospel)” and then encourages us in Romans 15:1 “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

Let’s swear our allegiance to God today and determine to fulfil the obligations of the new covenant as revealed in God’s word.

Our obligation to God’s house

For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.” Nehemiah 10:39 (ESV)

We as God’s people have an obligation to maintain the house of God. We should all be giving freely to the Lord’s work and the upkeep of the Lord’s house with our money, time and energy.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Give to the work of the ministry at church and give generously to the glory of God.

1 John 5:17–21

We are protected

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18 (ESV)

A Christian cannot live in deliberate and habitual sin. We do not keep on sinning and feel uncomfortable if we sin because we have been born of God and have a new nature.

Also we are protected by Jesus from the devil. The devil has no legal claim on us because Jesus paid the price of our redemption. (Also see John 17:12–15).

If we are preserved and protected from Satan and have been born again by God the Holy Spirit, then we have a joy filled obligation to no longer walk in sin.

Jesus is the true God

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20 (ESV)

This verse is packed with truth. Jesus came to give us understanding. He does not want us to be ignorant, this is why God gave us the Bible. The purpose for Jesus giving us understanding is so that we might know Him.

John affirms that Jesus is the true God and eternal life. This is more clear evidence that the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God.

Psalm 113:1–114:8

God above all

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, Psalm 113:4–5 (ESV)

Our God is above all, none can be compared to Him. He is above every nation and above His own creation. Let’s worship our God the most high and only God today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 John 5