The People's Responsibility

In Joshua 23, the Israelites are living and established in the Promised Land. Joshua was now old and reminds the people of their responsibilities to stay faithful to God. Today we are looking at the people's responsibilities as they are recipients of grace. We can look at their responsibilities in several ways:

1. In light of their privilege
   The Israelites were given the privilege of being born into God's covenant. Therefore, Joshua urges them to take advantage of that blessing and follow God. God also gives us the opportunity to follow him. We must take that opportunity by God's grace while we can.

2. In light of their peril
   There are still nations surrounding the Israelites. Their hearts are at stake from being influenced by those pagan nations. Our hearts also face dangers while we live in this fallen world. The Israelites were exhorted to keep their hearts pure from bad influence and we must do the same.

3. In light of God's precepts
   The Israelites' duty was to keep and to do God's commandments. We must also remember to follow the straight path. To do so requires that we be courageous and vigilant.

4. In light of God's predictions
   God predicted that some of them would fall away. Those people would be driven from the land. Therefore, Joshua exhorts them to continue to follow God, lest they fall away. We cannot lose our salvation. However, if we profess faith in God but don't possess faith, we will be cut off.