Relative or Righteous
God lays out clearly what is right and wrong to help us love Him and each other in a righteous way.
“Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy...Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God. ...Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves...Do not steal...Do not lie. ...Do not deceive one another...Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God...Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not go about spreading slander among your people...Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself."
Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18, 26, 28, 30-32, 37
God speaks in absolutes. He is Spirit and Truth. This approach can be a stark contrast to the world we live in and the relativism that pervades our culture. Many people want to push the idea that truth is relative and that each person should decide for themselves what is right. People can have that approach, but relativism is not righteous.
God gives us guidance or better yet, we can call them "family rules" to help us love like He loves. God is a God of order, holiness, and justice. In the midst of all the do nots or boundaries God sets to help us not derail relationships, He gives four clear instructions. He says be holy. The holy life is not just about what we avoid, but how we bring the presence of God to others. Purity leads to more of God's presence and power in our lives.
God says respect your mother and father. How can we respect God who we do not see if we do not respect the ones we do see? He says observe my Sabbaths. This is a tough one for us today. How good are you at giving God a full day back so that you receive godly rest that can recharge you for the purposes He calls you to? God says love your neighbor as yourself. Love is much more than not causing harm. Godly love involves loving others the way they want to be loved. Just like God we are called to meet people where they are and learn how to best bring love to them. Where could you most grow in how you listen to God's guidance?
“My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for people who are wicked and deceitful have opened their mouths against me...I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship. Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your unfailing love...While they curse, may you bless...With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him."
Psalms 109:1-5, 26-28, 30-31
One of the amazing things about David is how relatable he is to us. He had plenty of times where he harmed relationships by not following God's advice. What does he share about his journey that can help us grow? He teaches us how to love when it is hard. Jesus said love your enemies and David shows first hand two practices that helped him stay close to the Heavenly Father.
He was a man who went to prayer to listen and in times of difficulty he continued to praise. Is this not the opposite of what we usually do? When things are hard don't our prayers often sound like a laundry list of things we want God to do for us? Haven't you had times where offense or frustration turned you away from God as you listened to the voice of the enemy? David teaches us to be steadfast. He says listen to God and learn to love like Him. Praise Him at all times and He will give you a heavenly perspective that will help you hold on to the peace He gives.
“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say."
Proverbs 7:1-3, 24-25, 27
Solomon, a man of incredible wisdom, repeats to his son the same words that God spoke to the Israelites. He gives fatherly advice to help protect the one he loves. Human nature tends to rebel against commands. We do not like being told what to do. If we can step back and recognize that the commands are coming from the people who want what is best for us then it is easier to listen and obey.
It is important to filter which voices we allow to have authority in our lives. Jesus should have the greatest authority as if we are to live out a life declaring Him both Lord and Savior. Is there anyone's voice that you are listening to more than the voice of Jesus? How careful are you about choosing who you will listen to?
“When Jeremiah had finished telling the people all the words of the Lord their God everything the Lord had sent him to tell them Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! ...So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord’s command to stay in the land of Judah. So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord"
Jeremiah 43:1-4, 7
The Bible is full of examples of people who were not open to listening to God. The message that Jeremiah shared was difficult. He said surrender and trust God's plan. The leaders wanted to hold on to the illusion of control and went their own way. What happened? Pain followed by more pain.
Are the leaders all that different from us? Are we not also naturally inclined to rebel if what we hear from God does not align with our plans or the ways we want things done? We have to make a choice. Is God in control or are we? Will we listen and obey or learn the hard way?
“Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” When they heard this, they praised God."
Acts 21:13-14, 20-21, 26, 33, 36
Paul had a past. He had broken the commandments when he was persecuting the followers of Jesus during the time before he encountered Jesus. He had murdered. He had lied. He had harmed his neighbors. He knew he was a sinner saved by a savior. Paul responded to God's redemptive love by committing his life fully to the authority of Jesus. Will we? Are we ready to declare God your will be done?
What is His will? He wants us to learn to love like Jesus. Jesus was the living embodiment of the very commandments that were taught in Leviticus. How did he treat people who fell short of the way He loved? He did not condemn others but sought to restore them to right relationship with God through the commandments by loving well. What do we do when we are not sure what to do? How do we bring clarity to a relativistic world? Live in truth and rightly love like Jesus. There is a right and righteous way to love. Love like Jesus. He will never lead you astray. He is the way to loving like God intended us to love through the commandments.