"Not by works of righteousness that we have done..."

Deuteronomy 9:1-6

In today’s reading Moses is talking to the Israelites as they are about to cross the Jordan River and enter into the Promised Land.  Verses 1-3 summarize the challenges (Anakites!) of claiming this new land and end with the promise that “the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire.  He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you.”  These had to be some exciting words for a people who have been wandering in the wilderness for many years!


But after the promises in verses 1-3 the tone changes.  Three times in the next three verses Moses tells the people that the victories that they are going to experience are not because of their righteousness.  In fact, the reading ends with Moses telling the Israelites that instead of being righteous they “are a stiff-necked people.”


These warnings made me think of Paul’s instruction to Titus in Titus 3:4-5:  “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”.  (We hear a similar message from Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9).


God calls us to live righteous lives just as he did the Israelites.  But like the Israelites, we need to be reminded that our efforts toward righteousness do not “earn” our deliverance from our enemies (sin and death).  That only comes from the grace God showers on those who believe in his son, Jesus Christ.
  
As Lutheran Christians we like to talk about Law and Gospel.  The Law does a pretty good job of reminding us that our efforts toward righteousness are not enough.  The Law Shows us Our Sin (SOS).  The Gospel shows us the true source of our deliverance (salvation).  The Gospel Shows us Our Savior (SOS)!  


Thank-you Father for sending Jesus to win a victory for us that we could never win ourselves.  Help us to remember Moses’ message to the Israelites and Paul’s message to Titus as we give thanks for this incredible gift.  Amen.