And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10: 12.13 ESV)
Requirements are not suggestions. If my boss requires me to work 40 hours before he pays me, he is not likely to pay me if I only work 15. If my car maintenance requires regular oil changes, my car is not likely to run well if I never change the oil. If good guitar playing requires practice, my music is not likely to be impressive or beautiful if I never practice.
And none of those examples are real requirements.
But when God Himself requires something, it is guaranteed that He requires it.
These verses show us that fearing the Lord, walking in His ways, loving Him, and serving Him completely are God’s requirements.
And we do not do those things consistently, eagerly, reliably, or often.
We do not meet God’s requirements.
And for God’s people, that is where Jesus comes in.
For Christians, Jesus meets those requirements for us!
God is satisfied by Christ’s obedience on our behalf. God is pleased to let Christ meet our failed requirements. And no one else can do that for us.
That is why Jesus is necessary. Without Him, we can not meet God’s requirements. But WITH Him, we are justified, adopted, sanctified, and glorified.