Leviticus chapter 20.
In the Old Testament God did not put up with Un-holiness. He still doesn't but grace and mercy exist. He's a patient God because he doesn't want us to perish. We're given many opportunities to do what's right. Eventually, we have to choose who we will serve: God, demonstrated by our obedience to him or the world and its pleasures. We are looking for value and purpose. We're trying to figure out why we are here and what we are supposed to be doing. We want love and acceptance. We try all kinds of things. People try friendships. People are broken and look for that love in sexual relationships. I find someone and they want to believe this is the right person and compromise their beliefs or just assume it's okay to live with someone and have sexual relations and don't think of the consequences. Consequences: A world of broken families, one-parent homes, people struggling to make ends meet. It's hard. Some people look to their peers and try pleasures of this world that their peers are doing. Drugs and alcohol or vaping are not uncommon. People are looking for happiness and after “things” or “someone” who makes life happy. Often time they do find happiness in someone or something but it only lasts for a short time. Eventually it ends. Then we want something different or someone different. Or we want more of something. Some turn to mediums or spiritists thinking that's how they can find their purpose or find answers to their life struggles. Dependence on God is eliminated when we seek other answers for our lives. We put dependence upon self, parents, friends, money, jobs, drugs and alcohol, pornography, relationships, etc etc. The joy we look for, for our lives, ends up becoming the very thing that destroys us. We have to start with the Lord. It's a daily walk. It's a daily stranding of our lives to him. We have to daily surrender everything to him because it's too easy to get distracted or attached or even really attached to this world in the pleasures of this world. It's easy for me to try and find joy and value in people and how they think of me. I have the conviction that it's important to reach outward. I sincerely hope God can use me to impact people's lives. And it really does give me great joy to see people come to the Lord, but often there's a hidden thought I hope whoever I reach out to “really appreciates” what act of Love or kindness I do for them.
We understand God’s physical laws of nature – jumping off a cliff won’t have a good outcome because of the law of gravity. God’s spiritual laws are sometimes harder to understand. He wants to keep us from self-destruction and from the consequences of those things. If the consequences are separation from the God who loves us and is trying to help us, is it worth it?
God requires for His people to be holy because He is holy. Of course we can’t be holy on our own though because we all fall short of His glory. We need Him to make us holy. If we aren’t holy by being in Jesus and becoming more like Him, then how could we say that we are really His? We have been called out of darkness as we read in 1 Peter 2:9-11. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
We may see more of God’s rules and His wrath displayed in the Old Testament, but the New Testament is also clear about how we are to walk as children of light. Check out Ephesians 5:3-8. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
the Lord is very clear on right and wrong, and the repercussions, you have to think that’s probably why some churches do not follow the old testament readings , too many rules that don’t fit into today’s society….. well, today’s society is in for a real rude awaking
Blair the last part of your comments were speaking directly to me:
It’s easy for me to try and find joy and value in people and how they think of me.
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but often there’s a hidden thought I hope whoever I reach out to “really appreciates” what act of Love or kindness I do for them.
I struggle with the daily. I have read the book 5 love languages and one of those is “words of affirmation”. I am someone who thrives off of words of affirmation, but just like you said if I don’t realize all of this is for God and His Kingdom, and I expect praise and affirmation I am only serving myself. When I get angry about people not wanting to contribute towards something I feel passionate about supporting, am I showing grace or putting them in a bad light? Am I doing things for others because God has blessed me so much, or am I doing it so that others can think highly of me?
Sometimes I feel hurt when I don’t get the praise and feedback/appreciation I expect. This is a huge flaw I need to work on and pray about. God is always proud and always loving towards His children when they bless others, that is the only affirmation I need to want.