And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not GOD speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for GOD is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where GOD was. And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with Me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. (Exo 20:18-23)
When faced directly with the Majesty and power of our Awesome GOD, and in light of His Holiness compared to their unrighteousness, the people of Israel could not stand before GOD. They demanded that Moses speak to GOD for them, for they feared Him, and rightfully so. Moses tries to reassure them that GOD has a purpose and that they should repent and rest in Him, but they remain separated from GOD. Because He knows their hearts, and their sIn, GOD repeats the prohibition against idolatry, even mixing other gods with Himself, and any kind of worship of any graven image was forbidden, for GOD alone is to be worshipped and He is Holy.
Whether it is gods of our own making, or even elevating ourselves to the place of GOD, the sIn of idolatry keeps us separated from GOD, for GOD is Holy and will not share His Glory with another. Putting anything or anyone before GOD in our lives and hearts is sIn, and will grieve and quench the Spirit of GOD within us. But, GOD will not leave us as orphans, and will chastise those that are His, to bring us back to Himself and remove the unclean thing.
We are to be clean, to separate ourselves from this world, but not isolated and aloof, for we are still in this world, just not of it. And while we are here, we are to minister to the hurting that they might see Jesus in us, the Hope of Glory. We are to disciple one another in love and in His Word, that we might grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world that they might hear. As we go, we tell others of the Gospel that they might know of His grace and forgiveness, and in believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would 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 trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness 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
RSS Feed