Highlights In Today's Reading:
After reading these chapters, you will discover how detestable sin is in the eyes of God. "Separation from sin" is of utmost importance to have fellowship with God. God expects His people to be "clean" in mind and thought as well as outward conduct.
The Hebrew nation was chosen for spiritual leadership among the nations of the world and to let them know there is only One True God. God provided only one infallible Guide for how to live. All mankind is born with a fallen sinful nature inherited from Adam and Eve. Consequently, only one inspired revelation (the Bible) is needed for all generations.
Various laws of God forbade them from close association with idol-worshipping heathens. They also tested their devotion, faith, self-denial, and obedience to God. Furthermore, the regulations taught Israel that all laws on how they were to live were given for their best interest. Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile My Tabernacle that is among them (15:31). The laws concerning what was clean and unclean were symbolic of both moral and spiritual truths.
The world is hostile against the Truth of the Word of God. Need of separation still remains. The world is vile and unclean and its corruptions are unchanged because of its ignorance of the Word of God.
Believers can be defiled. Consequently, their prayers go unanswered. In mercy God warns: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. . . . Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. . . . Be ye not unwise (Ephesians 5:11,16-17). The popularity of this world's system should have no attraction to the Christian who desires to grow in grace. Be ye holy, for I am holy (Lev. 11:44-45; 20:7; I Pet. 1:16).
Spiritual truths cannot be received by the world or the worldly minded. These chapters teach us that God has something to say to the pure in heart (sincerely live to please the Lord) which cannot be received by the one who is defiled by sinful conduct: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness . . . Envyings, murders, drunkeness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. . . . they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal. 5:19,21,24).
Thought for Today:
Consider the influence this world has on your life and then determine to let God help you to escape its influence.
Christ Portrayed:
By the priest who made atonement for a cleansed leper (Lev. 14:20). Our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation) (Rom. 5:11).
Word Studies:
14:8 tarry abroad =stay outside his tent; 14:32 whose hand is not able =who cannot afford; 14:38 shut up =quarantine; 14:41 within round about =inside, all around; 15:19 put apart =keep separate, in a state of impurity.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Staff: Karen Hawkins • Government Official: Rep. Vern Ehlers (MI) • Country: Armenia (3.8 million) southwest Transcaucasia between Europe and Asia • Major languages: Armenian and Russian • Religious freedom • 78.5% Armenian Apostolic Church; 3.3% Muslim; .05% Protestant; 17.7% Atheist/Agnostic • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord when in despair; He is your deliverer (Jon. 2:5-6).
Optional Reading: Mark 9
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:5-6