Walking in Fellowship

I have lately been listening/reading to the book of Leviticus. It is interesting to me that so much of what God has told Israel in the book is not about them, but about Him. The various commands and laws are not necessarily intended to limit them, but to cause the people of Israel to know that God is separate and different -- He is holy. He wants the best; nothing less shall be in His presence. Then we see that He has made a way that allows us to stand in His presence. I love reading in Hebrews (especially ch.4) that we have the right to go before Him and enter boldly into His presence. He can even ask of Him to have needs meet.

• He is a holy God, far above man.
• He cannot allow sin in His presence.
• We have little/nothing to offer. We are sinners.
• He made THE way that allows our sin to be forgiven.
• He allows imperfect, sinful man into His presence that we might have the forgiveness of sin.
• He seeks regular fellowship with us.

At first glance, one would think that we had no hope, yet He has chosen to love us and we reap the benefits of that relationship. Sometimes we think that everything is about us -- how does the "guideline" impact me? Really, the question should be what does the "guideline" reveal of my God? When I go to someone's home, if they ask that shoes come off, I probably comply. If a holy, yet loving God, asks me to do something I would not usually do, why should I not comply? The only reason would be if I place too great a value on myself and too little value on my God. Otherwise, obedience is such a little matter. There is no inconvenience when I value the fellowship that obedience makes available.

In Colossians, and elsewhere in His letters, Paul makes a statement similar to this: If you have received Christ, walk like you have. My daily life should reflect the God I claim to love and follow. If I truly value Him, I will seek to love and serve Him. Simple enough, yet difficult indeed. So today, I shall seek to live in a way that reflects a love for my God. Life is not about me; it is about Him.