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February 29
8: Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one
day three and twenty thousand. Again fornication, or sexual immorality, is mentioned as something displeasing to the Lord. A consequence under the Old Covenant was that 23,000 people were destroyed in one day. Jesus spoke about lust. The law said not to commit adultery but He said a man who has looked on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. The Old Testament law dealt with outward actions but the New Testament deals with the inward intentions of the heart. The purpose of the law was to reveal the intentions of the human heart not just to put out a set of rules. The law revealed the consequences of sin, the results of living a selfish and self-centered life. God’s desire is for you to do the right things out of a pure motivation to please and worship Him, knowing that He sees the overall picture and knows what is best. He knows what kind of living will promote a peaceful society and a peaceful heart. He doesn't want you to obey a set of rules just out of a sense of duty or obligation.
Confession: I will learn from the Old Testament those things that please or displease my God. I determine that the purposes, intentions and motivations of my heart will be to do good in order to please my Heavenly Father and not out of a sense of duty or pride. God, help me to do this.
Obedience is a tree of life!
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