From And Going!

Where one is from sometimes explains (but does not excuse) some of their habits, mannerisms, and maybe even the way they talk. Where someone is moving might also impact these areas of life as they perhaps prepare themselves for fitting in with those among whom they will live. It is possible for one to allow their environment to bring about a continual shifting of behavior rather than possessing a CONSISTENT ESSENCE OF CHARACTER. I was struck by this thought as I read through a portion of Leviticus yesterday morning.

We read…
“(1) And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, (2) ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God. (3) You shall NOT DO AS THEY DO IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, WHERE YOU LIVED, and you shall NOT DO AS THEY DO IN THE LAND OF CANAAN, TO WHICH I AM BRINGING YOU. You shall not walk in their statutes.’” ( Leviticus 18:1-3 ESV)

God’s people were warned against involvement in the practices of where they once lived as well as not taking up the practices of those in the land to which God was leading them. Such was not to be the manner in which they walked. The ESSENSE OF THEIR CHARACTER was to be based on something more CONSISTENT than that!

God’s exhortation through Moses continued…
“(4) ‘You shall FOLLOW MY RULES and KEEP MY STATUTES and WALK IN THEM. I am the LORD your God. (5) You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.’” ( Leviticus 18:4-5)

It was God’s rules and statutes that were to be followed! Also, three times in the first five verses of this chapter God declared, “I am the LORD.” All along the way it was His Way that was to be observed. The manner in which God’s people were exhorted to live was to be CONSISTENT WITH REFLECTING HIS LORDSHIP over them. Should it not be the same with us regardless of where we have been from, where we are presently living, or where we might be moving?

Perhaps another way to look at this is in terms of what truly marks our origin and destination and what that should mean with regard to the ESSENCE OF OUR CHARACTER right now! Our origin is of God our Creator and our destination is the Heavenly home He has prepared. Is the CONSISTENCY OF THE ESSENCE of our life in accordance with that? It is GOD’S RULES -- even in this present realm regardless of what country in which we might live -- we must constantly bear in mind. May the ever present desire of our life be for God’s Will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. ( Matthew 6:10) The place for that to begin is for it to be the CONSISTENCY within our own individual life!

Have a great day KEEPING GOD’S RELIABLE RULE REFLECTED IN THE LIFE!
Carl

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