Day's 31-40

Day 31

Pray (AC-ts)

Read - Jeremiah 29.10-14

Message - Scott Woodburn
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There are probably very few of us who don't know Jeremiah 29.11 off by heart. It is surely a beautiful verse and one that lends itself to a Facebook quote or a fridge magnet. Sometimes however we miss the bigger story. By this stage of the book the Lord is speaking to a people (not an individual) in exile. Jeremiah had warned consistently that God's judgment was coming and inevitably after they refused to listen, God used Nebuchadnezzar to carry the people of Judah to Babylon. So Jeremiah 29 comes on the heels of that situation and the Lord tells His people to settle down. They are to make lives for themselves in Babylon (v5-7) because their stay there isn't going to be as short as the false prophets are making out (v8-9). Indeed the people will be away from home for seventy years (v10). Seventy years? Who can wait seventy years? Yet God's timeframe is not unfair. How often do the people of God go astray? How often do they not heed His warnings? The Lord could have left the exiles in Babylon for one thousand years and still not be unjust, and yet He isn't going to do that. He promises these exiles that after seventy years He will revisit them and take them home (v10). His plan for them is good (v11), they were suffering the due punishment for covenant breakers but God would not forget His covenant and ultimately His grace would abound (v14). So how do we apply this verse to ourselves? Is it a promise of earthly health, wealth and prosperity as some claim? Is our responsibility to claim these promises or have more faith? Simply no. This passage isn't about you, it is about Jesus. Jesus is the offspring of Abraham (Galatians 3.16), He is one true Israelite who never failed in His covenantal obligations (Romans 5.19), He knew exile and trial here on earth and after His work was completed He was restored to His heavenly home. This famous promise finds its fulfilment in Christ and because we are in Christ by faith then we can rejoice in this promise too. We are aliens and strangers on this earth (1 Peter 2.11), we will know days of trial (John 16.33), we will be raised again to life (1 Corinthians 15.52) and will spend eternity at home (Revelation 22.1-5). This is how verse eleven can be applied today, God knows the plans that He has for us and they're greater than health, wealth and prosperity. "Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8.31-32)
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Day 32
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Mark 2:23-28 
Message Alan Burke
The ministry of Jesus was raising eyebrows, it was making an impact so much so that he couldn’t openly enter a town as a result (1:45). It hadn’t gone unnoticed either with the Pharisees, they say that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked why (2:16), then they challenged about his disciples disregard for fast days (2:18). Here we see probably the greatest offence that he could have given to the Pharisees by his treatment of the Sabbath, as he is accused of being a Sabbath breaker.
It doesn’t seem to be that big of deal, not today at least, after all our shops normally open on the Sabbath. Sunday for most before the pandemic anyway was just a day like any other, the worship of God had been replaced with the worship of consumerism. That’s not how it was in Jesus day, here the Pharisees point the finger at Jesus because his disciples were plucking ears of corn as they pass through a field (23-24), they were getting something to eat on the way through. In response to they accusation of Law Breaking Jesus reminds them of what David did (25-26) in 1 Sam. 21:1-6. He is making the point that their interpretation of Sabbath doesn’t take into account need or necessity. Then he makes it clear the intention and purpose of the Sabbath, ‘it was made for man and not man for the Sabbath’ (27). What does this mean, well the Sabbath was a gracious gift from God, it wasn’t meant to be a burdensome obligation, it was given for our benefit, not to do what we like with, to treat it like any other, rather it is because we need a Sabbath, we need rest. Our society seeks to normalise the Sabbath, make it like any other day but physically, mentally, spiritually we need it, maybe in the midst of lockdown we realise how much we needed a rest, well God gives us one day in seven, before the fall God gave us this day, His day for our benefit and as a response we should worship and thank him for his gracious gift of rest.
But then Jesus said something that would have been shocking to them, he declared His authority as the Son of Man, he is Lord over all and he is lord even of the Sabbath (28) for he is the one who gave us and institution of the Sabbath. This was a claim to be God, blasphemy, all of this lead to the decision of the Pharisees that Jesus must be destroyed (3:6). The Sabbath has been given to us for our benefit and Jesus reminds of that. So when this is all over what will you do with the Sabbath that he has given you, return to normal or respond with thanksgiving to the lord of the Sabbath?
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 32
What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life? 
They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, (Rom. 8:30) adoption, (Eph. 1:5) and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them. (1 Cor. 1:26,30)
Day 33
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Message - Scott Woodburn
Good morning! It's a glorious new day in isolation and the potential of the next twelve hours lies before us like a blank canvas waiting for the paint! Sieze the day! Live your best life! Bake scones! Paint walls! Walk for miles! Fired up yet? Off to climb the Mournes yet? Dusting off your roller skates yet? Probably not. You didn't sleep too well last night. The Mournes can be classed as non-essential travel. Your bad ankle means you'll never skate again. Depressing isn't it? Life is rarely like the movies or the adverts and perhaps all of this extra time makes you realise exactly that. So let's start again with a reminder. If you have trusted Christ then a radical shift has occurred in your life. You are a new creation (v17a), your sins have been nailed to a cross and you have a new standing with God (v17b). When we look at our lives through this Gospel lens then suddenly our inability to "live our best life" doesn't seem to matter as much. We have been saved from the wrath of God by the Son of God. Let those words refresh you today. Your mortgage still needs to be paid but your debt with God has been paid, in full, forever. How? God took the initiative. We didn't run to Him, He moved towards us. The language in this passage is of reconciliation or in plain terms "the restoration of friendly relations". God through Christ has reconciled us to Himself (v18-19). God takes the initiative. Salvation belongs to God. Christ has done the work. The glory belongs to the Lord. We have been saved! Christ was sinless but was made to be sin (v21a) so that His death at Calvary was sufficient for the sins of many. Therefore whoever has received Christ by faith, has Christ's righteousness credited to their account (v21b). We call this "crediting", imputation. So you may be the worst home schooler in Ballynahinch and your back might stiffen after even moderate exercise but rejoice in Christ's imputed righteousness! The old has gone and the new has come! Finally as part of Christ's church we have been given the message of reconciliation (v19). It is the responsibility of the church to proclaim the Gospel and so to any readers who do not trust Christ - we urge you to be reconciled to God. As a Christ rejecter you are not God's friend. Your relationship with God is not a wee bit frosty but positively hostile. His wrath abides upon you as a due consequence of your sin and hell awaits. Be reconciled to God (v21)! Repent of your sin, receive Christ by faith and you will be saved! You may not make the most of today. The grass may remain uncut. The recipe may remain unfollowed. The bedroom may remain unpainted. But you must not remain unsaved. Do not receive this message in vain. Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6.1-2).
Pray (ac-TS)
Song
Q33 What is justification?
A33 Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Day 34
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Revelation 1:4-8
Message - Scott Woodburn
It isn't an unusual thing to hear someone lament the state of the world. We have lived through dramatic changes in every sphere of life and as the change doesn't stop perhaps you have muttered "It's my grandchildren that I worry about." You are not alone. Change is always unsettling and as the tried and tested ways of the past are dug up and abandoned we can rightly wonder "What is the world coming to?" In these strange days the Word speaks. The book of Revelation is sometimes called the Apocalypse of John. Apocalypse is the english version of a greek word which means "to reveal". In chapter one of Revelation, Christ is revealed to us. He has been raised and glorified. Our Saviour is no longer on the cross but alive forevermore and the vision of Him causes John to fall before Jesus like a dead man. Christ then speaks to His church in chapters two and three. His words are full of challenge, rebuke, exhortation and grace. His church on earth is not perfect, she knows trial and trouble but Christ is in the midst of her and His precious saints will overcome by the power of the Lamb. As chapter four begins, a vision of heaven is revealed to us. It is simply extraordinary. The dazzling beauty of God and His throne is described (v3) and this throne is surrounded by 24 elders (v4). These heavenly beings represent the Church of Christ worshipping God in heaven. 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles make 24, the complete church, the Israel of God, Christ has destroyed the dividing line of hostility and the Church is one (Ephesians 2.14) We meet four strange living creatures (v6-7) representing all of creation and elders and creatures together pour our praise upon God. But in chapter five a question arises. God has a scroll in His hand. It has been perfectly sealed with seven seals. It is full of writing front and back (v1). This scroll represents the things that must soon take place. The closing chapters of history are written here. "What is this world coming to?" You might ask, the answer is written on this scroll. But who is worthy to open and reveal such a scroll? Not me, not you but who? Jesus is the answer. John weeps (v4) because the scroll remains unopened but is told “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (v5) Jesus will open the scroll. History opens in the wounded hands of Christ. Such joyous comfort! The church will know struggle, you will know struggle, there will be wars and rumours of wars, pandemics, false teaching and division but history is drawing to a close at the hand of Christ. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We do not know the future but we know the One who does. We cannot predict how we will reach the end but we know that when we get there, God's will be done! No wonder then that chapter five closes with the elders and the creatures falling down in worship. We join them. “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!”
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Q34 What is adoption?
A34 Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the Sons of God.
Day 35 - The LORD’s day 
What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the work of God’ s free grace, (2 Thess. 2:13) whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, (Eph. 4:23–24) and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. (Rom. 6:4,6, Rom. 8:1)
Day 36
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Leviticus 10:1-7
Message Alan Burke 
Strange fire
“I just didn’t get anything out of it” or “I didn’t enjoy it today”. How many of you have uttered those or similar words or heard them said after a Sunday service. The passage today warns us about the attitude with which we come before God in worship. Initially on reading it, it may seem shocking, Nadab and Abihu the eldest sons of Aaron consumed by fire sent by God. Why, what had they done that deserved God’s wrath? Well chapter 8 and 9 clearly outline how they were to worship God. Chapter 9 closes with the fire of the LORD consuming the offering made and when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown (9.24). These men, immediately after choose to ignore the clear instructions of God. They thought that they knew better, it’s a pattern repeated from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. It’s something we are all guilty of today too, thinking we know better than God, thinking that worship on a Sunday is more to please us and leave us feeling warm and fuzzy inside than it is about coming before the living God in humble adoration.
Perhaps you are thinking, but that was the God of the Old Testament, the God of the New Testament is a God of love. Well take a look in Acts 5 1-11, Ananias and Sapphira are similarly destroyed for their lack of respect before God. We are warned throughout the New Testament against coming before God in an unfit state (Acts 5:1-10, 1 Cor. 11:29,30). We know that Christ took the wrath of God in our place so that we may escape the wrath we deserve, but the Bible is clear, those who reject His work will face His wrath (Heb 10:26-31).
Our worship should be God centred it is what he requires and deserves, our pleasure and enjoyment in worship is only a byproduct, not the goal, there are always going to be times that our minds drift to the roast in the oven or thinking “I love this song”, but when or focus becomes or own enjoyment, what we like, what’s culturally relevant then it is not worship.
As we live in a consumeristic society, we need to examine our focus, is on what we want, and what makes us feel good, our own enjoyment or God? The Bible is very clear, our focus should not be on ourselves but on God. So when we sit down on our sofa, or round the kitchen table, or when we are finally able to gather in the pews again on a Sunday morning, where is our focus? Is it on our Sunday lunch, on whether we’ll like the hymns picked today, on whether the sermon will be any good? Or will it be rightly on the God who is worthy of worship? You may have noticed we start each service with a pause, a moment to move our focus onto God, and then there is a to worship because we are called by God from his word to worship him, a reminder of the God we come before. Use those times to stop, to remember how seriously God takes the attitude of those who come before Him in worship and adjust our focus accordingly. He is worthy of all honour and glory and praise forever and ever.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 36
What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’ s love, peace of conscience, (Rom. 5:1–2,5) joy in the Holy Ghost, (Rom. 14:17) increase of grace, (Prov. 4:18) and perseverance therein to the end. (1 John 5:13, 1 Pet. 1:5)
Day 37
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Proverbs 1.1-7
Message - Scott Woodburn
The book of Proverbs is usually a book that most of us spend little reading. We all know Proverbs 3.5-6 but ask us about King Lemuel or Agur the son of Jakeh and we are left scratching our heads. Hopefully you don't avoid the book. It is more than just a verse about a straight path. Indeed as it begins, Solomon makes it clear what his goal for Proverbs is. He wants us to know wisdom and instruction (v1). To understand words of insight (v3). To receive instruction in wisdom filled living (v4). To help the simple and the young to make wise decisions (v5) and to help the wise to grow in their learning (v6). That all sounds great. Who doesn't need a healthy does of wisdom in their lives? Fools might despise wisdom and instruction (v7b) but certainly not us. Where can we sign up? Another quite well known verse from Proverbs tells us. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (v7a). The fear of the Lord? Indeed. Knowing and trusting the Lord, fearing Him, is the wisest move any of us could make. Yet we don't fear Him the way a servant fears his master. We call this a servile fear. A servant fears the judgement and punishment of his master. Instead the Christian's fear is a filial fear. The fear a child has for his/her parent. Zacharias Ursinus helps us see the distinction between the two. He writes "Filial fear arises from confidence and love to God; that which is servile arises from a knowledge and conviction of sin, and from a sense of the judgment and displeasure of God. Filial fear does not turn away from God, but hates sin above every thing else, and fears to offend God: servile fear is a flight and hatred, not of sin, but of punishment and of the divine judgment, and so of God himself. Filial fear is connected with the certainty of salvation and of eternal life: servile fear is a fear and expectation of eternal condemnation and rejection of God, and is great in proportion to the doubt and despair which it entertains of the grace and mercy of God." So the beginning of knowledge is a filial fear of God. There will be many who roll their eyes at such a statement. Our faith is a source for scorn, trusting Christ seems like foolishness. We shouldn't be surprised. The Lord tells us "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1.18) The Gospel has opened our eyes, we have received Christ by faith and we have come to realise that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2.3) So as the Covid-19 storm blows around us, clinging to Christ is the wisest course. Indeed even in the sunniest of days "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1.25) It was the Christian missionary Jim Elliot who wrote in his diary "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Soon Elliot's life was taken by those he was seeking to serve. Was he a fool? Are you? No. There's no one wiser than the one who has called upon Christ. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q37 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Day 38
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Lamentations 3:22-27
Message Alan Burke
All is not well. Many of us are feeling like prisoners in our own homes, many of us are struggling. When we get out for that weekly shop or some exercise when people see us coming towards us they cross the street, they avoid us like we are a leper, we back off if someone gets to close to us, telling them to ‘keep their distance’. While most days we keep an eye on the telly for the latest new, wondering to ourselves ‘what’s next’, ‘will things get better’, ‘when will I get to see my family again’. We are lamenting our current situation longing only for homework, not homeschooling, longing for a meal out so we can forget the dishes for a night, longing for handshakes and hugs from those whom we love, longing to sit in that pew once more, longing to just go back to normal. All is not well, we lament, we are filled with grief and sorrow.
As we look to Lamentations the writer finds himself in a situation that makes what we face look like a day at Barrys in Portrush. God had brought his wrath against his people because they had sinned grievously against Him, they had been warned but were unrepentant (Amos 5:18), so He acted and brought terrors painful even to describe (2:4,5,20-22). As the writer cries out in agony at what he sees, bewildered at what has taken place, filled with sorrow lamenting over the fall of Jerusalem. BUT hope and not despair is the final word of this book. In the midst of it all, the writer is able to affirm the LORD’s great love (22), His ‘Hesed’ love that is shown in His faithfulness towards His people, that is an unfailing love, a faithful love, a steadfast love, eternal, limitless, a love that is unlike our love a love that remains the same, that does not diminish of increase. This love means that He is their God and they will not be consumed for his compassion and his faithfulness towards them (23). There would be an end to all that they faced as Jeremiah had prophesied (Jer. 25:11). Their hope as a people in the midst of their present circumstances was in the character of God. The writer has learnt to take one day at a time, reflecting on God’s goodness new every morning (23), waiting on the LORD (24), knowing His goodness (25-27). 
Despair had moved to Hope in the LORD God. The writer knew that in what ever he faced, God was still God who reigned over all, his confidence was in God, in the midst of adversities, sorrow, weariness sadness and anguish the people of God had hope in Him. We also have hope in the midst of all, hope in God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5.1), in the midst of this pandemic and all of life we can look to God knowing that for His faithful people though faith, He will bring salvation, that is the security of His people as we trust in Him (Col. 3:3). This hope doesn’t mean everything will go back to normal, but it does mean that ‘neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38-39). That is our hope that should help us to see past our present circumstances to our great God.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 38 
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, (1 Cor. 15:43) shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, (Matt. 25:23, Matt. 10:32) and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God, (1 John 3:2, 1 Cor. 13:12) to all eternity. (1 Thess. 4:17–18)
Day 39
Pray (AC-ts)
Read - Luke 6.17-23
Message - Scott Woodburn
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that all is not right with our world. We see it on the news and we see it every time we look in the mirror. We are fallen people who live in a fallen world. Foolishly we sometimes forget this reality. Today is all we can hope for and frustration comes in droves when today falls short. In the beatitudes Christ lifts his follower's eyes away from their present circumstances and gives them a reminder of what is to come. As this passage begins, Jesus is surrounded (v17) by those who have come for healing (v18a) or to be set free from unclean spirits (v18b). Indeed the push must have been extraordinary as the crowd sought to touch Jesus (v19). It is in this setting that Jesus begins to preach to His disciples (v20). He pronounces four blessings upon them, famously called "beatitudes". This word is taken from the latin "beatitudo" which means "blessed". Please note that this is more than a feeling of being happy, indeed the blessed are those favoured by God. As Jesus looks upon His disciples He sees young men who have left everything to follow Him. They are poor in pocket and they are poor in spirit. They have no earthly riches and they know their need of Christ. So they follow and by following they have received the kingdom of God (v20). To be saved is to understand that we have nothing of worth before a holy God. Our bank balance may be full but our depravity is greater. Blessed is the one in such poverty and who looks to Christ for they have entered into the kingdom. With poverty comes hunger and sorrow and yet Jesus turns these upside-down as well. The one who knows such trouble will be satisfied (v21a) and their tears will be turned to laughter (v21b). The faithful saint will feast at the table of the King when all that breaks their hearts today will be washed away. Indeed even if we are hated for Christ's sake (v22) we can look forward with confidence to a heavenly reward (v23). The young men receiving this teaching are named in this chapter (v13-16). Judas would betray the Lord but the other eleven would understand the reality of Christ's words to them. It is said that only John died in old age (despite imprisonment) with his fellow disciples knowing torture, crucifixion, beatings and the sword. All is not right with this world. The modern Christian can expect trouble as countless generations past have already experienced. But as we realise the difficulty of "now" may we long for the joy of the "not yet". By faith in Christ we are the blessed ones, the favoured of God. We may be beset by various kinds of trials "now", but we are assured of rest when the fulfilment of the "not yet" comes. I could write thousands of words in an attempt to explain our situation and still fall short. Instead, the Word speaks..."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1.3-9).
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 39
Q39 What is the duty which God requireth of man? The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will.
Day 40
Pray (AC-ts)
Read — Galatians 4:1-7 
Message Alan Burke
The world talks a lot about freedom, we like to be free to make our own choices, our own way in life, we don’t like to be bound by what others tell us to do, we don’t like the limits that have been put on our freedom. But the bible does not talk about us having freedom before Christ instead slavery, slavery to sin.
Here Paul explains how that this son, this heir, is no different to a slave (1) because he had been put under guardianship of others, trustees ran his estate. All aspects of the child’s life were under their guardians control, they would have disciplined when needed, given guidance, teaching all that this child needed to know. Helping them to stand on their own two feet when they are old enough. That’s what we hope for if we have children isn’t it. Yet the point that Paul is making by using this illustration that we likewise “…were in slavery under the basic principles of the world” (3). What does this mean, well there was a time that we were no different than salves, we may not have seen it that way but our sin enslaved us, this world enslaved us.
What changed, How did slaves become sons? In the fullness of time God acted, He sent His eternal Son the pre existing Son who was commission by God to set slaves free and make them the children of God. John Calvin puts it better than I could, when he says, Christ “by putting the chains on himself, he takes them off us” that’s what happens thought faith. Our lives are changed, transformed by this salvific work of Christ Jesus on our behalf. Because of it, we have the full rights of sons, we are adopted heirs with Christ, this is what having the full rights of sons means (4-5).
In the ancient world, inheritance was only for sons, but Paul is speaking of all believers, daughters are elevated and have the same rights as sons, our status has been transformed we are accepted through Christ Jesus as sons, set free through the work of God in Christ Jesus by faith. We have entered into a new relationship. Our status is secure not in what we have done our can do but in Christ as God sends the Spirit into our hearts though faith, so that by the Spirit that moves us to call God our Father (6) and become heirs, His children, His sons and daughters by faith (7).
Know who you are now, know that you can cry out to God ‘Abba, Father’ just as Jesus did in the hours before His death (Mk 14:36), knowing that He is our God our Father, nothing can ever change that.
Pray (ac-TS)
Sing
Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 40 
What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law. (Rom. 2:14– 15, Rom. 10:5)