Taking Nothing For Granted

Those who have suffered in similar manner tend to have greater compassion.  Jesus Who suffered for all of mankind has the utmost compassion for our weaknesses and frailties.  Those who are legalistic in nature expect compliance with the Law and rely on behavior modification of others.  The enforcement of the rule of law is necessary where lawlessness abounds.  At the time of the first Pentecost when FATHER gave the Law to Moses there was sin in the camp.  It is written by THE SPIRIT in Exodus chapter 32:

1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

FATHER knew the people needed a standard to guide them toward righteousness and thus provided them with the Ten Commandments.  Immediately after being presented with the Ten Commandments they had proceeded to break the first Commandment given in Exodus 20:

2 ​​“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 ​​“You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 ​​“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

Breaking the Law had consequences for the people were unrestrained in their actions and they pursued corruption.  The result of their lawlessness was “about 3,000 men” were put to death that day.  We must realize that actions have consequences and we must correct our path and beliefs accordingly.  The Old Covenant provides an excellent contrast to the New Covenant.  In Acts Chapter 2 another event occurred on the day of Pentecost:

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Peter stood up and explained what just happened and preached the Good News to those in attendance and admonished them saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”  What was the result?

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.

The Law in itself does not bring forth life, it did not at Mount Sinai and it still does not today.  We all need The Holy Spirit active in our lives on a moment by moment basis.  We should not minimize the importance of ministry of The Holy Spirit as we walk out our daily lives and ministry.  Yes, every one of us has a ministry to fulfill.  Attempting to fulfill our calling without The Holy Spirit can become drudgery when it should be exciting and refreshing.

There are those who constantly focus on the 613 commandments and statutes.  Oh what a chore to stay compliant in this path of legalism.  Oh what a blessing to walk in just two commandments centered around the revelation of Love.  I choose the latter.  As we walk in Love we become more compassionate (as Jesus) toward those who are blinded by the world’s ways.  We are not to condone their blindness but to be a guiding light which will bring them to the true Gospel.  There are times we may be called to suffer in Christ but the time of suffering simply makes us more compassionate toward those with no hope.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 8:

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Let us take nothing for granted as we walk according to THE SPIRIT.  Each day we will be presented with unique opportunities and events that are difficult when applying the Law of the Old Testament.  However when we walk according to HIS SPIRIT and Love, we are able to navigate throughout the day in a righteous and effective manner.  The ministry of The Holy Spirit may have been dormant in your life but that does not negate the need to submit to HIS SPIRIT in us.  Let us take nothing for granted but be grateful for all the provisions given to us by FATHER, most of all the ministry of The Holy Spirit.

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