Grace and mercy

Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

Previously Moses had warned the Israelites of the perils that might arise from their predecessors, the Canaanites, concerning idolatry. In this chapter Moses warns the people of idolatry rising up inside of them and tempting others with their idolatrous thoughts. In the verse above Moses reminds the people it is the Lord your God you must follow and revere; following his commandments and staying close to God for reassurance. For when we draw close to God, God draws close to us.

The Mosaic laws were given to show man that he was incapable of not sinning. For no matter what man did there was always the temptation of sin with him. In the verse above the penalty for following other gods and idols was death.

When Jesus came a new covenant was given that gave life instead of taking it. People were still expected not to sin for the Apostle James said, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”  When a woman was about to be stoned for adultery Jesus stopped the crowd and challenged them that anyone without sin should throw the first stone. Slowly all the people left for they knew they were sinners.  Jesus then told the woman to go and sin no more. Jesus had given her grace and mercy to live, just as He gives us grace and mercy when we sin.