Hey ALL! Thanks for being an ongoing Blessing to me!
Numbers chapter 4.
in previous chapters we see where preparations were being made for the development of the army. Then the placement of each clan was determined by the Lord who was in the center. And now we see actual responsibilities assigned to the different Levite clans and families when it comes to tearing down and moving the tent of meeting which is God's sanctuary. The holy things were covered by Aaron and his sons but carried by the Kohathites. The items they carried were so holy that they could not touch and were not to look at it uncovered or they would die.
I think it's hard to comprehend just how holy God is. I think it's hard to comprehend just what true Holiness is. We fall so short of being holy. How could we ever earn the right to enter into the presence of God because we are so unholy? Such thought should humble us and cause us to exalt and magnify the Lord. It should cause us to not approach God with any arrogance at all. But if God is so holy and we are sinners the unholy, how can we be accepted by God into a relationship with him? How can we become holy enough to enter into his presence? When we die how can we be seen as holy so we can spend eternity with him and heaven?
We can't allow ourselves to fall into the thought that says just be good enough. We can never be good enough to enter in to a most holy God. We will always fall short, or mess up. Even by birth we are born sinners.
There is one way and one way only that our unHoliness or sin can be removed and that's through a relationship with Jesus. When we accept what Jesus did for us at the cross we can have our sins forgiven and he will make us holy or righteous (II Corinthians 5:21). We can now have that relationship with God and we can now enter heaven into his very holy presence because when he looks at us he no longer sees us the SINNER, but he sees the Holiness and righteousness of Jesus his son who covers our sins and forgives our sins and removes our sins making us so holy. We don't have to live in guilt or shame anymore. With the sins we struggled with and Satan beat us down with, all of those are forgiven. We are new creatures or a New Creation.when Jesus is in our lives and we no longer desire to live the life we used to live.
What keeps us from surrendering our lives 100% to the Lord Jesus?
To reject Jesus is to stay in our sins and guilt and shame. It is to die without taking care of our sin problem. It means we stay unholy never to be able to be with God in heaven. To reject Jesus is to reject God and heaven. Thus we receive our punishment which is hell, the eternal Lake of Fire forever.
but Jesus took on our punishment for us. To accept Jesus is to not face the punishment of hell. It's our choice. Which will we choose?
Jesus = Forgiveness = Holiness = God in Heaven. OR
NO Jesus = Continue in Sin = No Holiness = NO Heaven with God = Hell.
What's the choice?
Holiness isn’t something that we can ever achieve on our own because of our sin. I think the key to holiness is being in Jesus and completely surrendered to Him so that He can live in us. I thought about 3 Bible verses when thinking about holiness today.
One verse is Colossians 1:22.
He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.
A second verse is Romans 8:1.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
A third verse is Galatians 2:20.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Something I really enjoy about our devotions is that each day I’m led to look up something (that I probably should remember) that we have previously read in the Bible. For example, as I read about the duties assigned to each major Levite family branch, I wanted to confirm that these branches were Levi’s 3 sons – Gershon, Kohath and Merari (Gen 46:11). Although the curse remained from Levi’s part in avenging his sister’s rape (see Gen 49:5-7), because the Levites chose to stand for the Lord in the golden calf debacle (Ex 32:26) , not only would they be used in ministry but God himself would be their inheritance ultimately (Joshua 13:33).
The Levites are not only a good example of family in ministry but also a reminder that none of us are beyond hope or saving or being used by our Lord in His service. The story of the Levites gives us hope because of God’s design to save us when He sent His Son to die in our place for our sins. How amazing is that? We don’t have to understand something so amazing … we just have to accept and live in faith. Praise the Lord.
Wow, Jeanine I love the verses you shared, especially Galatians 2:20. I don’t think I’m familiar with that verse but it is one that is so powerful and amazing and a reminder of the true goal each of us has. To take up our cross daily and to leave the sins of our past behind us. Those words, it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me! So powerful. I am reminded it is NOT about me. I often get caught up in the all about me mentally, get offended, hurt, feel short changed… but it is no longer I that live, but CHRIST who lives in ME. Christ does not get worked up over little things, take extreme offense, desire a certain amount of affirmation… none of it!
I also love how you circled back to our previous readings… I am going to need to write that all down and track it.
Blair, I love your points. I also thought, wow, can’t even look at it! But that is the holiness we cannot comprehend here on Earth. Thank you for the powerful message, the reality of what eternity holds for us, depending on our choices!
Following directions is tough for our society today…. but we better start
“We can’t allow ourselves to fall into the thought that says just be good enough. We can never be good enough to enter in to a most holy God. We will always fall short, or mess up. Even by birth we are born sinners.”
Your statement was a eye opener PB