When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing. If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp: But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.
For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that He see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. (Deut. 23:9-11, 14)
Israel was to keep the camp and all her people holy and clean, not just physically but also spiritually, for the Lord was among them. He went before them into battle to conquer her enemies and dwelt among them to strengthen them to their task. The children of Israel were Holy unto the LORD God and were to keep themselves separate and not do the things which the nations around them did, whether in offerings or treatment of their fellow Israelite.
God is Holy and He demanded holiness from His people. God walked amongst His people and declared them holy and expected them to act that way, especially in battle against the enemies of Israel. God also demanded proper love, care, and respect of their neighbors and their fellow Israelites in how they treated one another. They were not to be as the other nations, uncaring and selfish, but treat others as they would have them do unto them. They were also to keep the camp holy with proper sanitation and segregation of those unfit for duty. Though seemingly minor laws concerning the establishment of the camp and the treatment of people, it was always about God’s people being holy before Him.
In order for the Christian to persevere in the battles we face we are to keep ourselves holy and clean before God. We are not to be like the world nor do that which the world does but rather deny ourselves, crucifying the flesh, and follow Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and Master. Those of us who are born again through repentance and grace by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are called to live in His holiness and righteousness and not our own. We have received His forgiveness and are free from the penalty of sin, not to sin all we want but to live a life in Christ that glorifies Him. With His power over sin and its temptations, we live for Christ that others may know Him and become like Him through faith until He takes us Home to be with Him, free from the presence of sin.
Until that day, God has sent those who are His and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
God is Holy and He demanded holiness from His people. God walked amongst His people and declared them holy and expected them to act that way, especially in battle against the enemies of Israel. God also demanded proper love, care, and respect of their neighbors and their fellow Israelites in how they treated one another. They were not to be as the other nations, uncaring and selfish, but treat others as they would have them do unto them. They were also to keep the camp holy with proper sanitation and segregation of those unfit for duty. Though seemingly minor laws concerning the establishment of the camp and the treatment of people, it was always about God’s people being holy before Him.
In order for the Christian to persevere in the battles we face we are to keep ourselves holy and clean before God. We are not to be like the world nor do that which the world does but rather deny ourselves, crucifying the flesh, and follow Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and Master. Those of us who are born again through repentance and grace by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are called to live in His holiness and righteousness and not our own. We have received His forgiveness and are free from the penalty of sin, not to sin all we want but to live a life in Christ that glorifies Him. With His power over sin and its temptations, we live for Christ that others may know Him and become like Him through faith until He takes us Home to be with Him, free from the presence of sin.
Until that day, God has sent those who are His and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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