Online Bible Study - The Promise Is to You

THE QUESTION: What is God's primary law for us today?

WE BELIEVE: Our first responsibility is to fear, love and trust God above all else.

A STORY:
God appeared to Abraham and promised to make his descendants into a great nation. There was only one problem: Abraham didn't have any children yet. He was already 75 years old, and his wife, Sarah, was old, too. Still, Abraham believed God could do it. By a miracle, God produced a child between Abraham and Sarah. They were so happy, they named him Isaac, which means laughter. Later, God tested Abraham to see if he loved Isaac more than he loved God. God commanded him to sacrifice his son on a mountain. Abraham took the boy and the wood and went. When they reached the top of the mountain, Abraham tied up his son and was about to kill him with a knife. Just then, an angel from God called out, "Do not hurt the boy. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your only son." (based on Genesis 22) God himself loved the world so much that He did not withhold His only Son either. He really was sacrificed on the cross.

There are many things people fear more than they fear God. Many live in areas where they must fear thieves and murderers. Many worry about money and about losing their jobs. Just about everyone fears death. These many fears change and direct people's lives. To fear God means that our lives are directed by our desire to please Him, no matter what the cost. Abraham was a perfect example of fearing God when he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac.

GOD SPEAKS...
When Jesus was asked which commandment of God is the greatest, he answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38

Once again, there are many things people love more than God. Some are things worthy of love, like spouse and children and parents; some are unworthy things, like alcohol, drugs and power; some are things to be used, but not loved, like money and houses. Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37) Jesus placed Himself even above the people in our lives we should love. He, God the Son, along with God the Father and the Spirit, is worthy of our greatest commitment.

Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1

No one but Jesus has ever perfectly feared and loved God. No one perfectly trusts God either. We are all sinners. When we need help we often look to other people, to things, and especially to ourselves. Through His word, God teaches us to look to Jesus as our Savior. Because He died in our place and rose again, God forgives us our sins against Him. He also begins to make us new so that we begin to fear, love and trust Him more. In heaven, we will do this perfectly, just like Adam and Eve did before they sinned.

THIS PART OF OUR LESSON ASKS:
-What are some things in your life you have feared and loved more than God?

-What has Jesus done for us that we should trust in Him?

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