Children of the Promise
As we have been adopted into the family of God, born of the Spirit, we learn how to live as members of the family and children of the promise.
“Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places. You must not worship the Lord your God in their way. But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling...There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you...you are to rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you put your hand to...See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:2-9, 18, 23-24, 26, 32
How would your family react if you had artwork, statues, or posters of things that they hated all around your house? Would it be loving to leave things that were offensive and harmful to your relationships up? The question is rhetorical and the answer is obvious. Have you purified what you allow into your homes, your lives, and your hearts? We are meant to consider and live faithfully to our family. The family of God.
God gives clear instructions. He says get rid of the garbage. Get rid of idols or outside influences of the world that are not of Me. Have you evaluated your environment? Have you looked around to see if there is anything that is not from God? What is getting into your head? What are you reading? What you are you looking at or listening to each day? It is hard to hear God when you have earplugs in. It is hard to see His hand at work when you are looking at unholy things. God wants to clear the spaces in our homes and hearts so that He can fill us with His presence. Do you want more of God's presence? Ask Him how you could purify everything so you can have more of His presence.
“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises the vile person, honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.”
Psalms 15:1-5
There is a tension in the truth of this text. David praises God and acknowledges how perfect our Savior is. Who may dwell in God's sacred tent? The answer appears to be no one. The bible says that no one is perfect. Not one. No one walks blamelessly and is always righteous. David then specifically calls out some things that harm our relationships with Him and with others. When you read the list of issues to avoid, can you say that you never have nor do any of these?
David could seem like a hypocrite. He violated his own list. He did the worst wrong to his neighbor by stealing his wife and murdering his friend. How then is David able to still praise? David learned long ago not to let what is wrong with him keep him from praising what is right with God. David sees his salvation and strength as gifts from his Father in Heaven. He is saved by grace through faith. Does that mean he can go on sinning? No! David's response to grace is to do his best to be faithful to the God who is always faithful. Is that your response today?
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted...the house of the righteous stands firm. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Proverbs 12:1, 3, 6-7, 15, 20, 25-26
Solomon does not pull any punches. He says those who hate correction are stupid. He says the ways of wicked will lead to their undoing. He says the foolish will reap what they sow. It can be hard to live in a world where we see people who are doing the wrong things getting what look like right results. God says give it time. There will be consequences for those who spurn correction, act wickedly, choose foolishness, and disregard the Lord God. One of the blessings of living in this truth is that we can let go of the need to be judge and jury. God will bring them their wages in due time. The members of the family of God are taught to live intentionally and hold fast to hearts free of offense. How is your heart feeling about the imperfection of others?
More than what Solomon says not to do, he gives spirit filled words of how to live. Solomon says love discipline. He does not say grudgingly accept or deal with discipline. He says to love it. Do you love discipline? Do you love correction? Is feedback a gift? Solomon says that when discipline, correction, and feedback come from God that it is a gift. Solomon says you will stand firm. How you might ask? Because when you stand with the Lord, the Lord will never be shaken. The key is moving closer in proximity to the God who cannot be shaken.
Just like Jesus when asked about the greatest commandments, Solomon throws in a nugget about how to love your neighbor. He says a kind word helps overcome anxiety. God knows we live in a difficult, fallen world. One of the reasons he gave us technology and a voice is so that we could stay connected and cheer each other up. Who could you share a kind word with today? Do you have a brother or sister in the family of God who could use an encouraging word?
“It had a wall around it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.”
Ezekiel 42:14, 20
You have been set apart. You are God's chosen. You are made holy and growing in holiness as you walk with Jesus. Just like in the first passage in Deuteronomy, we are called to discern between the holiness of the family of God and the common ways of the cultures around us. There is a difference. While we live in the world, we are not to reflect the ways of the world. We are to reflect the God who saved us and shines His face upon us. How are you reflecting God today?
Have you taken the time to inventory the things in your life that are holy and are common? Look at your calendar, look at your checkbook, consider the words coming out of your mouth, look at the last ten shows you watched on television, or the last ten websites you visited on the internet. Is your life dedicated to Christ or just as common as those who do not follow Him?
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir...Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise."
Galatians 4:6-7, 24, 26, 28-31
The enemy of your life wants to steal your identity and the joy of your salvation. Jesus said the enemy came to lie, destroy, and deceive. The enemy is the father of lies and loves to promote fear. The enemy wants you to give in to the desires of the flesh and live for yourself alone. He says forget your family. You just need to be happy says the enemy. Are you going to listen to the lies? Are you going to be like a world that celebrates high divorce rates, does what it pleases, and hates discipline?
Jesus says you are mine. Jesus says you are my son or my daughter. He calls you by name. He says let go of the life of slavery that the world tried to keep you in that was bound by the sin that easily entangles. Jesus speaks in truth. He affirms your identity and your rightful inheritance. The heir of an individual is the one who is loved most. You are the heir of Jesus Christ. You are His beloved. The beloved of Christ. He sets a table before you and invites you to be with Him. He says you belong in My Father's House. He says you have a hope and a future.
He says I have a new life for you and you are a new creation. He does not want to just incrementally improve your standard of living. He wants to give you new wine, a new life as an adopted son or daughter, that is empowered by the Holy Spirit living in you. God has made many promises and in Christ every one is Yes and Amen. You are a child of the promise that was made to Abraham as you live by faith just like he did. Today is a day to declare your identity and to claim your full inheritance. Today is a day to discern between the holy and the common. Today is a day to choose devotion to the One who created you and commit your heart to Him. Listen to His voice and let Him lead you to your rightful place as a dearly loved child of God.