Deuteronomy 5:1-2 – “Then Moses called all the people of Israel together and said to them: “Listen, Israel, to the statutes and ordinances that I am about to deliver to you today; learn them and be careful to keep them! ² The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, my heart was deeply challenged and overflowed with a renewed confidence in God.    In Deuteronomy, the Lord spoke to my heart to always read the Ten Commandments as the terms of the Covenant.

In the natural blood covenants, there were negotiated terms that each party had to keep, or the Covenant was nullified.  God’s Ten Commandments are not optional!  The terms of human covenants that were kept granted the other access to all that the other had and could provide.  If we obey, we have access to all God is and has!  It’s not earning it; it is a condition of covenant. He willingly chooses to provide.

When we consider the Book of Ephesians, we can easily become overwhelmed by the truth.  Therefore, it would be wise to absorb the message in bite-sized portions.  For example, Ephesians 1 begins with a revelation of what the “Blessed”  life involves and provides.   Every spiritual blessing from heaven is part of the package.  We have the security of knowing we were chosen in eternity past to be able to participate in this life!   Ephesians 1:11 says that God has claimed us as His own possession!

Ephesians 2:1-3 gives a picture of the life condition of the lost.  Then, verses 4-10 reveal what has been provided, who we are to be, and how we are to function. In Ephesians 2:21-22, we discover that the Christian life is one of progression and transformation. Day by day, we are changed.

In Ephesians 3:10-13, we have the confidence to engage in bold praying and living. In verses 16-21, we have the revelation to enable us to become empowered with Christ’s authority. In Ephesians 4:29, we are warned to watch what we say.   

In Ephesians 5:1-5, we see things to guard against that would keep us out of the inheritance; verses 3-4 are particularly germane.  Avoid sexual immorality or impurity of any kind.  Run from greed.  Clean up our language, resist foolish discussions, and develop an attitude of gratitude and Thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:1-5 is filled with life guidance that brings peace! Then Ephesians 6:10-18 provides the pathway to spiritual strength, the revelation of the real struggle, and how to stand or fight this fight.

God’s grace opens the door, but we have to walk through it and then participate in the development of the Blessed Life.  How much and how quickly we progress is dependent on our choices and investment (commitment).

Becoming requires honing, sharpening, being pruned, challenged, chastened, disciplined, and submitting to being discipled.  God has provided. He said in Deuteronomy that he had given them victory over a king before the battle, then said, “Now go fight.”   That applies here.   God has provided; now we have to go possess and become.

LORD, help us embrace Your Commandments, knowing they elevate us to a higher plane spiritually and a greater place of victory and freedom!