"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." (Deut.6.4.NIV)Moses, in his farewell speech to the Israelites, reminded them of this truth. The emphasis of "The Lord is ONE should not be lost on them because all other nations, except the Hebrews, served many gods. The worship of one God made the faith of the Hebrews unique, distinct, in the ancient world. The belief in one God is the core tenet of monotheism.
When Jesus was asked, "of all the commandments, which is the most important?" “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." (Mark.12.29.NIV)
Why is it so important to stamp this fact on the hearts of the people?
1. God needed His people to be distinct from the rest of the world. "Come out from among them......(2 Cor. 6:17-18)
2. The other nations worshipped creations as gods and goddesses, e.g. the god of fertility, rain, war, journey, sun, moon, and they carved images of these gods.
3. The creations are not above the Creator. Creations are subject to the Creator. And there is no other Creator except God and He is ONE.
Why did God say in Genesis 1:26; "Let US make man..."? Why will Jesus claim to be God? "I and My Father are ONE (John 10:30)
This is talking of complete unity and oneness of purpose with God. Jesus did all things just as God would or wanted. He obeyed God to the letter. "I must do the work of Him who sent me" (John 9:4). Perfect harmony with God is God. That is why it is written: "What is man that You are mindful of Him?"
We too are beneficiaries of this oneness of purpose because we believe in Jesus Christ. His righteousness becomes our righteousness. And if we follow Him as we ought, we also become one with God (John 17:20-23). We align with God's Will and Nature. "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! ........It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." (Psa.133.1& 3.NIV)
WORD: "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that WHEN CHRIST APPEARS, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." (1 John 3.2-3.NIV)
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