Exodus 19 chronicles the arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai, where Moses was to receive God’s commandments on the mount. The Lord instructed Moses to tell the people, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…” (Exodus 19:5-6).
Moses relayed God’s message to the people, and they responded in a commendable fashion. “Then all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do…’” (Exodus 19:8). We know, of course, that they reneged on that promise many, many times through the course of their history as a nation. But, the words remain a basis of the covenant God held with them. He promised a special place for them, above all people, conditioned upon their obedience. They promised that obedience to “all that the Lord has spoken.”
It is seldom that you see that same degree of commitment today among those who claim to belong to Christ. There is much that is found in the New Testament that is unpalatable to many. Things like limits upon women in worship and leadership roles, (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12; 3:1). The condemnation of homosexuality, (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The definition of marriage as between a biological male and a biological female, (Matthew 19:4-6). The life long commitment that is required in the marriage relationship, (Romans 7:2-3). The condemnation of extra-marital sex, (Hebrews 13:4).
There are additional instructions given regarding worship that are disregarded by men, despite the requirement of God that worship be offered “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Others disregard the command to discipline the divisive, and other rebellious sinners (Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5). We could go on and on with the instructions of the Holy Spirit which are ignored by those who claim to be followers of Jesus. What it amounts to is an unwillingness to do “all that the Lord has spoken.”
The Christian faith should not be treated like a buffet, where an individual tailor’s his “spiritual meal” to suit his personal tastes. Consider what would have happened had Jesus Himself exhibited that attitude. On the night of His betrayal, He prayed to His Father, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). What if He had decided not to die for you and me? But, He knew what His Father desired for Him, and willingly submitted to that burden. He died. He all His Father expected Him to do.
How untoward for us, then, to complain about the “burdens” of serving Christ. That it is too much to require one to assemble for worship, (Hebrews 10:25). That the moral code established in scripture is antiquated, and not relevant to our day and time, (1 Corinthians 6:7-11). That the limits that God places on spiritual fellowship are onerous, (Ephesians 5:11). That the God-given responsibility to convict others of sin is hateful, (2 Timothy 4:2). We could go on and on.
In truth, we have the same obligation as that found among the Israelites of Moses’ day. We are to obey God’s voice, and keep His commandments. Failure to do “all that the Lord has spoken” will sever the relationship we have with Him as spiritual Israel. Our commitment to the Lord is to be total. To be so, it is necessary that we submit to His will rather than substitute our own.
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