2 Chronicles 31

“Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.” 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (HCSB)

There is much confusion in the Church at large these days concerning the Old Testament. Some Christians believe there is not much value in reading it, while others place too much emphasis on living out the Law to the letter. We know we are saved by God’s grace, through our faith, whenever we make the object of our faith Jesus and His atoning work (on our behalf) on the cross. Since our salvation is by Grace, through Faith, there is no worth to our “good works” concerning our salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  But is there any merit to living according to God’s Word? Absolutely! The Apostle James (James 2:14-26) had much to say about that. I recall a pastor saying, “We are not saved by faith and works. Rather, we are saved by faith that works!”  If you have genuinely placed your faith in Jesus, you should desire to live according to the Word. He is the “Word made flesh.” (John 1:14)

Hezekiah fully understood that it is not just enough to be God’s “chosen.” You must also choose to live for God. Salvation may be by grace through faith, but blessing follows obedience. Hezekiah followed the command of Deuteronomy 6:1-7, to wholeheartedly seek the Lord.  

“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:1-5 (NKJV - See also: Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

Having begun with exhorting the people to observe the Passover (remember God’s miraculous deliverance and provision in times past), Hezekiah then fast-tracked Biblical literacy, which started the chain reaction of revival. Interestingly, when Jesus was asked about the greatest command, He answered with the same passage:

“‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’  Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Leviticus 19:18) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV)

Is obeying God’s Word important to Christians? Just ask “the Word made flesh”:

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Luke 6:46 (NKJV)