Today’s Scripture Reading (August 8,
2012): Numbers 15
I grew up in
a church that believed in rules. I think we had rules for every possible situation.
We had rules that were designed to keep us out of trouble situations and we had
rules that were designed to help us do good. But sometimes I think we forgot
why the rules actually existed. They were supposed to just be a reminder of who
our King was. Instead, we seemed to think it was the rules that somehow made us
holy. As long as we followed the rules, we were following God. But the reality
was that we made the rules themselves our god – and knelt down at their altar
instead of God’s. We repeated the same mistake that the Pharisees made and
decided to worship rules and laws instead of God. And as soon as we did that,
grace no longer had any place in our lives.
Every law
and instruction that was given to Israel had only one reason; to be a reminder
that we are the property of the living God. If we are honest, a lot of the
rules that we read about in the Torah just seem to be weird. But their purpose
was simply to set Israel apart and remind them that they were the property of
God. “Be consecrated to your God” could be simply translated – be holy. It was
a holiness of heart and not a set of rules that has always been at the center
of anyone who dared to be a Gods chaser - and that was exactly who Israel was
designed to be.
The idea
that somehow we can be followers of God and yet remain unchanged is a false
one. If we are truly chasing after God, there are things that will happen
inside of us. We will be changed – and longer we commit ourselves to follow
after the things of God, the more holy we will become.
We are the
followers of a holy God. And we cannot help but become more like him. In the
end, if we are faithful, we will become holy for only one reason - because our
God is holy.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers
16
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