Day 39, or February the 8th. Keep God's laws
for everyone's sake. Our thoughts today are rooted
in Leviticus chapter 18, verses 3 and 4. You
must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used
to live, and you must not do as they do in the
land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not
follow their practices. You must obey my laws
and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the
Lord your God. First, the big picture surrounding
these verses. There is much detail about sexual
cleanliness in Leviticus. Promiscuity was a real
problem, and Moses did all he could to counteract
it by telling the people that God didn't approve
and demanded change. It's interesting that nowhere
does God disapprove of sex. After all, it was
his idea in the first place. However, when people
simply do their own thing, it brings all sorts
of problems and makes a God -given gift seem
dirty and unwholesome. His people are to be distinctive
and not the same as their heathen neighbours.
The Canaanites were into tattoos and unusual
hairstyles, so don't even look like them. Of
course, this doesn't mean if you have the right
hairdo and no tattoos, you're okay. I believe
it means that we are to be God's people here
on earth, and there are some aspects of modern
life that are simply inappropriate. And now our
action step for today. One of the most popular
criticisms of the church today is that it's out
of touch, and people see it as irrelevant because
it's so old -fashioned and behind the times.
My question is, who's moved? Would biblical teaching
be more effective if it was regularly updated
to suit modern trends in society? Sadly, some
people would say yes, but I wouldn't. I've heard
it said that the church should reflect the society
in which it ministers. No, it shouldn't. It should
reflect its Lord and Saviour and call for repentance
and the need to progress to godly standards.
Of course, let's be as contemporary and relevant
as possible, but let's not distort the message
itself. Are you one of God's special people,
or do you appear just the same as everyone else?
Time for a check -up.