Requirements. Deuteronomy 10:12. “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
FEAR – reverential respect: My Lord is the Lord of lords and the God of gods. He is great in all His attributes, mighty in all His actions, terrible in all His judgments, and never manipulated by persons or things. He is no respecter of persons, and he has never compromised or compromised. He is the Object of my praise, He is the God of my salvation, He is my Savior – I belong to Him. I fear Him with due reverential respect.
WALK – progressive conduct: The ways of the Lord are before me as I journey. The righteousness of the Lord is imputed to me, so I must be righteous in my actions. The holiness of the Lord demands holiness in every action of my life. The grace of the Lord demands gracious acts from me. The kindness of the Lord challenges me to be kind to others. The obedience of the Lord requires me to obey Him. The pleasure of the Lord indicates God should find pleasure in me. The faithfulness of the Lord requires that His steward be found faithful. The availability of the Lord instructs me to be available to others. His walk on earth was in the light and showed the light of God. When I walk in the light as He is in the light, I have fellowship with Him.
LOVE – inherent value or worth: The love of the Lord is inherent in Him, for He is love. His love for the Father and the Father’s love for Him should be in me. His love for sinners led Him to come; mine should make me go and tell others of His love for them. His love for children should show through me to children. His love for the Word motivates me to love it, too. His love for His disciples is passed on to me for my brothers and sisters. His love led Him to die, and mine should make me die to self. His love for us today intercedes for us, and I should be an intercessor. His love for the Church is unlimited, and mine for my wife should be the same. His love was total, and its impact and value are evident everywhere. I love Him, and that love should be evident and shown to others.
SERVE – useful labor: The Lord came not to be served but to serve. He served as the Representative of the Godhead in a body, and so should I. He served as He met the needs of others, and so should I. He served by identifying with the despised ones, and so should I. He served wholeheartedly, and so should I. He served without advertising it, and so should I. He served in the lowest of tasks, and so should I. He served by sacrificing Himself, and so should I. He served God and others with joy, and so should I. His service was there for all to see, and yet He never asked for recognition. I serve Him; may it always be from my heart with the right motives.
KEEP – personally committed: The Lord’s commandments and statutes are to be kept. He is the Creator with an order, and I am committed to orderliness. He is the Sustainer of all things; I am to maintain what He gives me. He is the Law-Giver, and I must obey Him and His laws. He is the Owner of everything, and I must labor for Him. He is the Head of the Church; I must fulfill my calling. He is the Giver of gifts; I must use them for His glory and others. He is the Truth; I must never compromise the truth or lie. He is The Righteousness; I must keep that righteousness visible through me. He has entrusted His truth to me for all to see and hear. I must keep those commandments so that others may know what sin is and how to be saved.
Obedience to God is not merely outwardly conforming to what I know is right but an expression of my attitude, feelings, and purposes. Submission to God’s will is possible because of His grace in Christ. Serving God faithfully is an invitation given to me. However, it contains a warning implicit in that one who has been delivered from the consequences of sin does have an obligation to our Redeemer. Justice with compassion comes as a result of worshipping God. That makes it possible to say what is needed and still not be harsh or judgmental.
"O Lord God of my salvation, I honor Thee here today and worship at the reading of Thy name and listing some of Thy attributes. I am totally indebted to Thee for every benefit I have received and every evidence of Thy willingness to use this unfaithful servant. I am concerned that I fulfill the calling for which Thou hast called me. With knowledge of my weakness, I appeal to Thee for strength to meet the requirements of faithful service. Lord, remember I am but dust but I do want to bring glory to Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”