February 27
Lev 20:22-22:16 | PS 43:1-5 | Prov 10:18 | Mark 9:1-29
As a parent we raise our children, holding them by the hand as we guide them through life until such a time that they release our hand and take off. In our current society often, this is after high school. Though we still influence our children, they are now adults and begin to stand on their own. As God's children many mistakenly believe this same principle holds true. But God only has children, not adults. The mistake we so often make is we release our hand from His and begin to move in self-righteousness rather than His righteousness. Sitting in church year after year, some lift themselves up as good or righteous. Others refer to individuals as "religious" or "righteous" as though it somehow emanates from the individual rather than God. Titles are given. Far too much of our worship focuses on "me" and "I" which only furthers this misconception. God is holy. Our holiness only comes to us as we relate to God. When we set apart or become holy, we never set ourselves apart from God but from the world. A physically fit individual only stays fit as long as they continue to work out. An intellectually successful individual only remains that way as long as they continue to learn. The same holds true and more so when it comes to our walk with God, we simply are never on autopilot. Everything that we are in God relates to who He is and our remaining in Him.
God reminds the people in Leviticus 20:22-24, "You must keep all my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you as your new home will vomit you out. Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them. But I have promised you, ‘You will possess their land because I will give it to you as your possession—a land flowing with milk and honey.’ I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from all other people." Notice, it was not the people were special, it is God who is holy, and it is God that sets them apart. If they forget this and think that it is somehow based on their own merit all will be lost. We must not miss this recurring phrase in this section, as we read in 20:26, "You must be holy because I, the Lord am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own." When referring to the priests (remember from 1 Peter 2:9 that we are now God's holy priesthood) we see repeated over and over again, "I am the Lord who makes them holy" (Leviticus 21:7, 21:15, 21:23, 22:9, 22:16).
Apart from God they were nothing. Apart from God we are nothing. We are in a marathon, and we need to remain fixed to our source of righteousness. Reading through the entirety of God's Word is essential to see who He is and who we are. If we stay in devotionals with a bit of Scripture and much explanation this realization can be lost. If we remain in feel good messages this can be lost. If we decide our bible, meaning we decide which of God's 66 books we decide are worth our while to read, we elevate ourselves and our insight and this can be lost. He has chosen the books which are deemed Scripture, which are inspired, we don't. We need Him not just once a week in church, but daily, hourly, minute by minute. When we accept God as Father, Jesus as Savior, these two relationships take precedence over all others. We must never busy ourselves to the point where we forget this, ever.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: