FEBRUARY 13 READING…EXODUS 29-30 & 2 CORINTHIANS 1
Today’s theme is that we all need to be right to come before God. In Exodus it was require that the priests had to be personally made right with God in order to come before Him. It was not enough that they held a religious position…their religious office did not make them right with God. Nor does it today…someone’s title, office, or position does not make them right with the Lord. The priests were required to be consecrated before the Lord, and they were themselves required to offer sacrifices out of a heart of obedience to the Lord. It was never enough for them to offer the sacrifices of the people, they too had to give personal sacrifices. Sadly, there are too many present-day pastors who believe giving, serving of personal time, and the disciplines of the Christian life are for the people, and not for them.
The Scripture makes it clear that all must come before the Lord being right with the Lord, and that a position, title, or office does not change this truth. After being personally right with God, the priests of Israel were to offer what God required in the manner that God instructed them. God promised to respond to the obedience of His people. I would remind all readers that in biblical faith the only requirement that guarantees success is obedience.
In 2 Corinthians 1 Paul talks about suffering, but then he speaks of being responsive to God in how we present ourselves to the world, and in coming before Him. It is God’s wisdom we need, and we need to live in the simplicity of the Lord’s provision. We are told to be careful not to follow the wisdom and ways of the world…they are always contrary to God. Paul wants them to understand that what he is teaching them does not come from some outside source…but these are the teachings and instructions of God, for His people. Paul was committed to teaching only Jesus to the church…for all that God has promised us is, “amen in Jesus”. We are made right before God in Jesus. Finally, Paul reminds us all that it is not God’s way to have any “lording” over another…but that we are together on this wonderful journey called life.
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…EXODUS 31-32 & 2 CORINTHIANS 2
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