“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt, and serve ye the LORD.”
Joshua 24:14
Joshua makes a covenant with the children of Israel at the end of his life. The children of Israel list off the great works that the Lord did for them in Egypt and in the wilderness.
“And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore we will also serve the LORD; for he is our God.”
Joshua 24:18
But look at how Joshua responds to them...
“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.”
Joshua 24:19
They want to serve the Lord, but take no responsibility for their own severe violations against God’s law.
“And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.”
Joshua 24:24
These are people that want to be justified by their works, in hopes of making up for their continued idol worship. They wrongly seek to serve the Lord first and and obey him second after Joshua tells them, “fear the LORD, and serve him.”
Without faith it is impossible to please him with your actions. The law of Moses commands, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen”
1 John 5:21
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