A Page from A. Page: March 2012

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Salty Sacrifice and Holiness

Recently, I was reading a book regarding holiness, which ironically, pointed me back to scripture by pointing out Leviticus as a book devoted to holiness. Many times we search for answers ourselves while God directs us back to His word, so I found no surprise in finding a verse I noted years ago in my Bible:
"Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy." Lev 20: 7-8

So even before Jesus came in flesh, God instructed us to set ourselves apart, following His instructions, His law; but regardless of our efforts, it is God who makes us holy. Paul poses the New Testament question of if we should just forget about trying to obey God, so that God's grace can be even greater. The answer is absolutely not, and James expanded that answer to write that faith without works is a dead faith.

Getting back to Leviticus and holiness, how does this work if God does the work, but we are supposed to play an active part. Isn't playing an active part, in essence working?

If I do not lie with a man as a man lies with a woman, will God make me Holy? What about if I avoid taking my wife's sister as a rival wife? Or not mating different kinds of animals? Or not eating blood, making sacrifices correctly, burning mildew? What do all these laws mean?

Leviticus runs through a ton of instructions to give further detail from God's greatest instructions as applied to the Israelites. Much discussion can be had on what those instructions meant to them at that time in relation to modern times on this side of the cross--but as a general look, it seems that the point of all the instructions was laying out things that would sever relationship with God, setting us apart from God instead of setting us apart for God.

How do we set ourselves apart for God?

"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings." Lev 2:13

We must make an offering to God. We don't make grain, or fellowship, burnt or guilt offerings today as they were prescribed back then, but this description given of the grain offering means everything compared with the offering we are asked to give today. Jesus told us to sacrifice ourselves by taking up our cross daily to follow Him. Paul describes the Levitical instruction in greater detail in Romans 12:1.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."

And when we offer our bodies, we should be applying plenty of salt. Does this mean we should shower each morning in saltwater? I don't think so, but Jesus referred to us in Mw 5:13 as the salt of the earth. We don't want to lose our saltiness, so should be bathing in the light of Jesus each day to salt our living sacrifices in the Spirit.

We can't produce the salt ourselves. From where does it flow?

"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." Lev 17:11

This verse referenced the restrictions of eating blood given to the Israelites, but we can see God's message that becomes clearer this side of the cross. It is the blood of Jesus that makes atonement for our sins. Jesus is THE salt of the covenant. That is why we must salt our lives with Christ. He makes us holy, set apart, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Spiritual Block

Upon the precipice of being poured out like a drink offering, Paul wrote about the course he had run for Timothy personally and for generations of Christians throughout the history of the church. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." NAS

Bring pen and paper to a daily meeting with God this week. Pray in the Spirit and listen patiently for His leading. He may be waiting for you to quiet down and so may seem a while in answering. He may answer with conviction of the heart immediately in prayer. He may drop love notes through others or events throughout the day to let you know He's thinking of you and leading you. He may speak through pain to help you grow, or through joy to raise your spirit. He knows what you need more than you, so be open especially in focused prayer, but also throughout the coming week, praying through these areas. Be open to writing down thoughts, convictions, events as they happen and compile them for a Sunday night recap with the Holy Spirit. Lay your thoughts upon your Bible in prayer and work on a journey check up session with Him. What fights has your heart been in--good and bad? What good fights lay ahead for your heart?

What course have you taken with and without the Spirit? Where has He been leading? Where does He lead you now? Follow His steps.

Where have you been faithful? If you've made it through this post and are looking to engage in the exercise, you have a measure of faith. Don't sell yourself short or long...don't sell yourself anything. Wait on the Spirit to tug at your faith to see areas He would like you to grow and areas bringing joy to His Spirit.

Ask God. He loves giving good things to His children. What glorious requests to ask for His Spirit to be alive and active within your heart, to take your feet with His to others who need Him, to live in the security with His promises, His truth...love, hope and faith.

Soli Deo Gloria

In Christ, Andy

Writer's Block!

November 16, 2012
Writing exercises can often jog the pen when it seems dry.

What's your favorite sport? Tell me about a dramatic game with an active voice. Yardage, velocity, power, precision and backspin are all popular and often necessary subjects in sports. While describing running yards or serve speed or slugging percentage, describe in active voice what you saw--or what you see in your imaginary game. "Defensive tackle Page flopped on a Colts' cut block, and then used the center to spring into the backfield, wrapping the quarterback for a loss of 8 yards."or"Defensive tackle Page got an 8-yard sack."While journalism preaches efficiency and lean writing, I'm saying, 'have fun!' Let the reader have some fun, too. Get into the real details and description of the action. I love sports and reading about them, so feel free to leave something you've written about an exciting game--real or imaginary!

In Christ, Andy