Last week in our gathering there was reading from Exodus, as we were talking about the holiness of God, the fear of the Lord, and His desire to have fellowship with us. I shared that even after the fall in the garden, God, in His grace and eternal purpose, came seeking Adam and Eve to speak with them. Last week I wrote:
“the end of both covenants we find (is) righteousness and obedience. It all comes down to God has always desired to dwell with a people with whom He can be comfortable. Those created in His image that are righteous, holy as He is holy. And, He has desired a people that would be obedient to what He asks/speaks out of a submission gained by love rather than coercion.
That existed in the Garden before the fall. He was comfortable with Adam and Eve and they with Him, so much so, that they were well acquainted with the sound of Him waking the grounds in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8-10). And, as far as we can comprehend, they were living in obedience to the one command not to eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, until they did.
After the fall in the Old Covenant/The Law we worked at righteousness through obedience. It was impossible. In the New Covenant established in Jesus we have been given righteousness as a gift in Jesus that we might then learn obedience living in Him and under His Lordship. A righteousness that comes by faith, not by works of the flesh. But, that righteousness inspires a submission, gained by love, to Jesus…”
That discussion in our gathering also included a reference to a wonderful passage in Hebrews. Here is a portion of each.
[Exodus 20:18-19 NASB95] 18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw [it,] they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.”
[Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24, 26-29 NASB95] 18 For you have not come to [a mountain] that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which [sound was such that] those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. …
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of [the] righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than [the blood] of Abel. …
26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 27 This [expression,] “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
This inspired some thinking on my part this past week about the nature of the gospel of the Kingdom which has been delivered into our trust for sharing and manifesting in our lives and relationships. And, about the nearness of God we enjoy in Christ! A nearness the Father has desired since before the foundation of the world and Eden, and that has been made possible, accomplished in Jesus.
The passage from Exodus is right after the giving and listing of the 10 commandments. Just after, the thunder and lightning, sound of the trumpets, and smoke on the mountain began. And, that display induced fear on the part of the people. Moses even alludes to the fear of the Lord being the purpose of the display in vs 20:Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test (ie:prove/assay) you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain(ie:be before) with you, so that you may not sin.”
There is a place that, as His creation, we must understand that He is God and we are not, and that as the Hebrews scripture says “our God is a consuming fire”. But, I am convinced that we should never lose sight of the fact He desires to speak with us. For us to be comfortable with hearing Him, and He to be comfortable with us.
In Exodus we find the people trembling and standing at a distance, or as other translations say “afar”. But then they make, what I think,is a rather large error or, at least, an over reaction. Rather than wanting to know Him personally, they only want to know Him and His voice through an intermediary. And they say Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die. They request Moses to be the intermediary between them and God, fearing for their lives.
Now some would take license here to push forward the case for hierarchy in leadership and giving the shepherd Pastor the place of authority to hear from God for us. I think that is a bridge too far, given the whole of the scriptures. Moses is a type of Christ here, not a type of the pastor or hierarchy in polity. If anything, it points out that Christ will make a way for us to speak with God personally. Moses says God has come that the fear (awe) of Him might be before you and that you may not sin. Not that you may not hear from Him.
In the Hebrews account this is truly all given exposition eloquently. Go back up and read how we have not come to a mountain we cannot touch and must fear, and beg not to be spoken to from. No, we have come to Mt. Zion, the habitation of God, the general assembly of the church of the firstborn, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant. And although His voice shook the earth…His voice will once again shake not just the earth but the heavens as well.
Then, please notice, the author of Hebrews says “therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;“. I think the clear indication is that we are in that unshakable kingdom now, and the speaking He does, even now, that shakes heaven and earth is to us, and even through us to the world around us, and principalities and powers above us! Because we are in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus and of our God and it cannot be shaken, we may offer up service to our Lord and God (not our own dreamed up works for righteousness, but service under His Lordship and the righteousness He has given us in Christ) that speaks of reverence and awe before a God that is just, and is a consuming fire.
As mentioned above we have been entrusted with the gospel of the Kingdom which has been delivered into our trust for sharing and manifesting in our lives and relationships. And, about the nearness of God we enjoy in Christ! A nearness the Father has desired since before the foundation of the world and Eden, and that has been made possible, accomplished in Jesus.
The gospel of the kingdom is based in the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ as Lord. It is not about doctrine(s) or rules and regulations of men. However, there are obviously mutations of the gospel that manifest a different Jesus, exhibit a different spirit, and present a different or distorted gospel. These kinds of mutations are not new in our day, although they may be more numerous and innovative. Even in Paul’s time the Judaizers were stirring up a“Jesus and” mutation.
[2Corinthians 11:3-4 NASB] 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.
[Galatians 1:6-7 NASB] 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
“A different gospel” –“another Jesus”? Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom, without distortion. Where there is a kingdom, there is a King, a Lord, and His authority often accompanied it in changed lives in spiritual and physical ways
[Matthew 4:23 NASB] 23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people
[Matthew 9:35 NASB] 35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
[Matthew 24:14 NASB] 14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
This gospel of the kingdom is based in what Paul told the church at Corinth was the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Not devotion to a particular set of doctrines of men, or rules-regulations-works, and certainly not to another man/leader. Pure, simple, Devotion to Jesus; as in This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!
[Matthew 17:5 NASB95] 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”
[Mark 9:7 NASB95] 7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”
[2Peter 1:17-18 NASB95] 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
Let us consider the comparison with Exodus 20 here. I think God was looking for those that would hear Him. Yes, stand in awe, fear, of Him… but who would hear Him and walk in His way. He was not looking for Moses alone to hear, but for a nation, a people, of His own. A people He could redeem and be comfortable with. In our new covenant times, the application would be He is looking for a people who will Hear Him, and draw near and follow Jesus, doing as He directs and speaks.
God was looking for a nation of priest. But, Israel would not have it.
The people wanted the word of God, but not a relationship with Him. God wants the relationship so you can hear…. and do the word.
Israel did not receive God’s call on their lives. They wanted God to speak to them through Moses, not directly. This is because they did not want the responsibility of living separated lives, dependent upon hearing from Him personally, that would be a testimony to the world. A life of the Simplicity and Purity of Devotion to Him. They wanted to follow God, but not completely to the point of giving up, dying to, sinful behavior and living devoted to His Lordship and His way,…. which is a requirement for the priesthood. That was for Moses and Aaron.
He was looking for not just priests but a “royal” priest hood. Kings and priests
The levitical priesthood stayed in place until the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though it was a spiritually dead institution. When Christ came, He instituted a new order of priests, one ordered after the priesthood of Melchizedek who was a king, priest, and prophet. This new priesthood is based upon the life and power of God, not rules and regulations, and man-made traditions. By Jesus’ death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension a new way was opened up for man to once again enjoy complete and unrestricted fellowship with God. The kind of comfort with each other that was known in the garden.
Now man could approach the throne of God boldly, the veil into the holy place had been rent. Man could enter into the very presence of God for fellowship and hearing Him. The great barrier of sin was dealt with on the cross. Now those who received this gift from God could enter in. The power of this new priesthood is established in the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16 Melchizedek/Jesus)..The life ofJesus. The eternal life that is ours in Him.
[Hebrews10:19-25 NASB95] 19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since [we have] a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled [clean] from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging [one another;] and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
[1Peter 2:5, 9 NASB95] 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God’s] OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
God is now revealing covenant grace mercy and love, He is also leading countless believers to discover the Kingdom… live in the purity and devotion to Jesus the King…. to come into loyal submission/obedience to the King. Not coerced to obedience, not working at self righteousness earned through dreamed up ideas and self effort. But, a submission gained by love that results in loving obedience to Jesus, and what He speaks, as His subject and servant.
[Matthew 6:2 28-34 NASB] . 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 he air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much m”But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Much is made here by some of “to work a job or not“. There is no such thing as paid full time ministry, although many try to press into it. We are all in full time ministry! But, most of us will see Him provide through a job. Even Paul made tents and worked with His hands. But His devotion was to the King and the kingdom.
The “different” gospel that prevails in the church today, and weakens the church as His body, is a“come and get” gospel instead of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Come and get rich, healed, happy, everything made perfect, etc…, rather than come follow Jesus and give all that have and all that you are for all that He is, and in His service.
We do a disservice with a gospel of grace that allows calling upon Him as savior but denies Him the right to be King and Lord.
This has caused a lack of credibility before the world, and made the church to be seen as full of hypocrites and charlatans. It has also caused us to produce a gospel without Kingdom power and left many anxious, in anxiety over trivial matters.
The LORD is now calling for a “complete conversion”. A commitment to Him that lies down my right to rule, and ask me to join a group of believers that function as a royal priesthood under the One High priest as a royal nation under the Lordship of the King.
He has not called us to institute Christian Sharia law – rules and regulations for righteousness. He has called us to give, love, and be an example of what life is under the rule and reign of Jesus as Lord… and a submission that has love as it’s motivation. Jesus did not come to simply solve our problems, but to liberate us and empower us by the Holy Spirit, and obedience to what He speaks, to liberate others from the dominion of self and sin and death unto life under His loving Lordship.
I think the central message of the Gospel is not simply, or only, Jesus is savior, or problem solver or the answer. But “Jesus is Lord!”, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and if you come under that… then everything else (savior/problem solver, answer) will follow.
God already rules over all creation. Only man has free will and when he lies that down, the Kingdom comes to bear.
We do not call people first to the church, but to the Kingdom. If people hear the word of God but do not put it into practice, they are building on sand. Personal obedience and living under His Kingship/Lordship is the foundation of being a member of His body, His church/ekklesia, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.
God’s love and grace, and righteousness are amazing gifts. Unconditional to all that believe. His blessing, however is not unconditional. It is tied to obedience.
If you keep my commands, I will bless you. (Duet 28:1-2, Duet 30,) was the old testament paradigm. “If you will …. I will…”
The New Covenant paradigm is…. “If you love me… you will..” (hear and do)
[John 14:15, NASB] 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. …
[John 14:21 NASB] 21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
If you choose not to obey under His Lordship, God does not stop loving you. Grace is unconditional. But you have stopped loving Him. And, the greater revelation/disclosure of the fullness of Himself and His love may be quenched.
A majority of church expressions don’t multiply and grow, and it seems the majority of believers live uneventful and fruitless lives. Could it be that being unfruitful and not multiplying … but being very much loved, and even given charismatic, and other gifts of grace, is simply a sign of lack of blessing and disclosure, revelation….. blessing/disclosure based in a response to love that leads to obedience?
Jesus did what He saw the Father doing, as it was disclosed and revealed (John 5:19). The life of Jesus was filled with the supernatural, healing, deliverance, raising the dead, prophecies, miracles. So was the early church. The Kingdom super-ceding natural law over and over .
God does not force obedience, nor anyone under His rule. He draws them to it by the revelation of His love in Jesus. He has arranged that the Kingdom become visible through those not consuming salvation on themselves, or making righteousness a matter of religion: works and devotion to doctrine. Christianity is not about the transfer of information and living by our intellectual understanding of it.
It is about the transformation of lives that are fully under the Lordship of Jesus. When this happens His people’s love for God, the brethren, and others are a response of obedience to His directives as Head of His Body. This results in the manifestation of the Kingdom…. to drive back demons and darkness, heal the sick, raise the dead and life that is not concerned with mammon.
This does not mean it will look like what you want it to, and be all roses and no problems. It means His purpose will be worked out in you no matter your circumstances.