Read Psalm 105:43-45. 43So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. 44And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil, 45that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!
The Exodus from Egypt as only the beginning. The people of Israel were brought out in order to be brought in. They were set free from their bondage to Pharaoh so that they might be bound to God. Out of Egypt and into God’s covenant. God did his part – he brought his people out with joy. But if you’ve ever read the rest of the Old Testament then you know that the people never really did their part – keep his statutes and observe his laws.
Our New Covenant in Christ is accomplishing what the Old Covenant never could. We too have been brought out to be brought in. Out of slavery to sin and death, and into the grace of God in which we stand. And it is that grace combined with the new heart that allows us to finally keep his statutes and observe his law. Ironically this happens as God sets us free from the laws demands and fills us with his love by the Spirit. Now by simply walking by faith in our Savior’s love we are doing by Christ’s mercy what Israel never could, fulfilling the law’s requirement.
Romans 8:3-4. 3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
To live is Christ allows us to finally keep God’s law by removing the bondage to God’s law. By replacing law with Spirit, the law is fulfilled in us. Not perfectly on this side of Heaven, but with perfect grace filling the gaps.
Prayer. Jesus, you brought me out to bring me back in. Back into you grace and mercy. As I walk by the Spirit’s love today fulfill your law in me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 