A Sanctified People
August 1, 2020 (Bible Devotional)
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel — Exodus 19:6
All Israel is sanctified to the Lord. Even though Christ selected the Levites as the tribe to handle the services in the tabernacle, all the congregation was holy. As a nation, Israel reflected the glory of God in the world. All the inhabitants of the land were ambassadors for God. They needed to reflect on the glory and honor that come from God. Every single Israelite was a priest for God. The responsible for honoring God in everything did not only belong to the Levites.
Sadly as we read the story of Isreal, we learn that they forsook God. Even the Levites abandoned their high honor. Israel followed after false gods. The worship idols instead of representing God to the other nations. They join and mingle with the idolators. God demanded holiness and purity from Israel. As priests of God, the daily lives should have synchronized with the harmony of heaven. Yet, Israel, the chosen of God, did not prevail against the tide of wickedness found among the ancient civilizations.
All the stories written in the Bible are a testament to the Israel of God. The end of the world is soon upon us, and God desires that we should act as his ambassador in this world. We are the workmanship of God created and redeemed in Christ Jesus. The responsibility rest upon every Christian to live as a priest and representant of God in this present world. As holy people, the responsibility rest upon us all. The pastors, elders, and the laity must live in this world as citizens of a heavenly country.
The words spoken to Israel now apply to us. God is seeking for colaborers who will work with him. He desires that his people shall in such a way to bring glory and honor to his name — the high calling of priesthood rest upon us. As ambassadors and evangelist for the kingdom of God, we have the privilege to advocate for heavenly principles. We cannot afford to conform to this world. Let us the power of God to transform us. And let us invite all whom we find to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Are you an ambassador for Christ?
The Prayer — Heavenly Father, we desire to live as a holy people. Please keep faithful and help to represent you in this world better. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
