Prior to the nation of Israel crossing over the Jordan River into the Land that God had promised, Moses reminds Israel of the decrees and laws commanded by God. In his reminder to Israel, Moses informs the nation that their possession is not merely about land; he instead explains that being God’s chosen people carries with it spiritual implications that extend beyond the genealogical and physical boundaries of Israel.
Deuteronomy 4:1-8
1 Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
3 You saw with your own eyes what the LORD did at Baal Peor. The LORD your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, 4 but all of you who held fast to the LORD your God are still alive today.
5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?
See, the Israelites weren’t given the land because of their righteousness (see Deuteronomy 9), instead God intended Israel, based on His decrees and laws, to serve as the moral compass to their future neighbors. Just as the few held fast to the Lord during the 40 year exodus, they were expected to continue to hold fast to everything that God had commanded in the new land, not just for their sakes but for that of their neighbors as well. Likewise Jesus reiterates the same intention for the church when He says…
Matthew 5:14-16
14″You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
So today, we’re also called to be the moral compass to our communities, families, workplaces etc;.
Here’s a question though…?
Are you holding fast to the Biblical Jesus? The peace, love, and compassionate aspects of Christ are surely a draw, but what about His commands, His non-compromise of Scripture?
You neighbor’s life may very well depend on whether or not you hold fast, to all of what God has commanded. (See also: Romans 12:1-2)
Matthew 5:17-20
17″Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Grace and peace be with you.
determine right from wrong. God’s Word is that plumb line. Spiritual laws, like physical laws, are meant to protect you, not restrict you. You may exercise your freedom to challenge the laws of electricity, but to do so can bring you death. Likewise, you will not break God’s laws, they will break you. God established absolute moral and spiritual laws that we are free to ignore, but we do so at our own peril. These laws are timeless. Culture does not supersede them. Circumstances do not abrogate them. God’s laws are eternal, and they will save you from death if you follow them.
You may feel that God’s laws restrict and bind you. On the contrary, God’s Word protects you from death (Romans 6:23). For example, when God said that you are not to commit adultery, He wanted to free you to experience the fullest pleasure of a marriage relationship. Furthermore, He knew the devastating heartache that would come to you, your spouse, your children, your relatives, your friends, and your church family if you broke this law. How important the laws of God are for your life! Without them, you would be robbed of the delights God has in store for you.
Got-Fruit(?) 
Beyond me, beyond you
Prior to the nation of Israel crossing over the Jordan River into the Land that God had promised, Moses reminds Israel of the decrees and laws commanded by God. In his reminder to Israel, Moses informs the nation that their possession is not merely about land; he instead explains that being God’s chosen people carries with it spiritual implications that extend beyond the genealogical and physical boundaries of Israel.
See, the Israelites weren’t given the land because of their righteousness (see Deuteronomy 9), instead God intended Israel, based on His decrees and laws, to serve as the moral compass to their future neighbors. Just as the few held fast to the Lord during the 40 year exodus, they were expected to continue to hold fast to everything that God had commanded in the new land, not just for their sakes but for that of their neighbors as well. Likewise Jesus reiterates the same intention for the church when He says…
Here’s a question though…?
Are you holding fast to the Biblical Jesus? The peace, love, and compassionate aspects of Christ are surely a draw, but what about His commands, His non-compromise of Scripture?
You neighbor’s life may very well depend on whether or not you hold fast, to all of what God has commanded. (See also: Romans 12:1-2)
Grace and peace be with you.