Cause And Effect

Deuteronomy 28.1-14, Deuteronomy 28.15-68

Here is a a little challenge for us all: Sometime we should dedicate some undisturbed time to carefully ready Deuteronomy 28.

It might be a good idea to print out a copy of this chapter that can be marked on.

I would suggest reading through the passage several times before doing anything else.

Then, after beginning to feel comfortable with understanding what this chapter is saying, I would suggest reading it again and objectively highlighting or marking any of the conditions described in the whole chapter that we recognize in our own life. This must be done objectively and not religiously!

After marking everything we see present in our lives, we should then tally how much of what we marked is found in verses 1 through 14 as opposed to how much of what we marked is found in verses 15-28.

The point of this exercise is to make a reverse-deduction of the cause-and-effect conditions described in Deuteronomy 28.

Deuteronomy 28 describes certain effects resultant to the cause of obedience (verses 1-14). Likewise the chapter describes certain effects resultant to the cause of disobedience (verses 15-68).

With this in mind, one can accurately identify the cause by the effect just like one can identify a shoe by the print it leaves on the ground.

In other words, the effect we see in our lives indicates the condition of the cause.

So, now is inventory time. What effects are present in our lives? Are they the ones found in Deuteronomy 28 verses 1-14 or verses 15-68?

If we find upon us the latter of the two effects mentioned above, would it not be time to consider a remedy? Would it not be time to repent, trust Jesus, and be delivered from the curses?

The Bible says clearly that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law: 

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. [Galatians 3.13a]

But some religious people tell us that God uses sickness (and other tragedies listed in Deuteronomy 28.15-68) as loving ways to relate to us as children. Is this not however proud and arrogant blasphemy against God? Do we dare call curses 'good' when God called them 'bad'? Curses are, after all, punishment - they were in no way ever intended to be seen as reward for obedience!

Jesus was not punished for being good. He was severely punished (on our behalf) because we are bad! God was not showing His love for Jesus on the cross, but He was showing His love for the world (John 3.16)!

Why not just punish the world instead of His only Son? Because punishment is BAD and because:

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]

God allowed His Son to suffer on our behalf SO WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO!

So, why do we still suffer? Here's my conclusion: whatever the reason is, it is not God's doing!

Father, I am growing more and more convinced of Your love for the world. Help me to effectively share that love!