A Distinct People

Exodus 8:23 I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be. (NKJV) (See also Exodus 11:7)

As most Bible students would acknowledge, the Old Testament is replete with types and shadows of the New Testament to come. Paul said that “All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV). This being so, what can we learn from the Scripture in Exodus 8:23 and the story of the Exodus? How does it apply to us today?

Clearly we see that God makes a distinction between His people and the devil’s people. (Most would agree that Pharaoh typifies the devil and Egypt the “world”) We are different from those who haven’t obeyed the gospel, in so many ways. We think differently, we talk differently and we live differently. At least we are supposed to.

If you read the story of the Exodus, you will see an amazing thing. A people who have become a nation of slaves are made free by their God. They are not only set free, they are Blessed materially as well. When they leave behind their former masters and the land of slavery they took with them most of it’s riches. They did nothing personally to bring about their deliverance and riches but obey the Word of the Lord (just as we do nothing but obey in faith).

Of course as you know, God opens a dry crossing for the Israelites and drowns the pursuing Egyptians. This Red Sea Crossing is said to be a type of Baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). This was a physical act of separating from Egypt and the slave’s way of life. It was a drowning of the former masters who held them captive and putting a barrier (the sea when God released the water) between them and that old life.

Likewise when we are baptized in the Name of Jesus, we too are separated from our old life and sins. Our sins are washed away and we are free from the hold sin had on us and the barrier of Jesus’ Blood is between us and sin. (The fact is, until you have died to your will through repentance, been buried in baptism in Jesus Name, and raised again to a new life through the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, you cannot be free from the hold of sin.)

When a believer acts upon his or her faith and obeys the gospel, they are immediately different. They are no longer an Egyptian slave but are an adopted child of God. A prince or princess. They are free from the slavery of their former life. This life of freedom is not a life free from strife and battle. It is a life free from the control of sin and the death that results.

We are a distinct people, the people of the Name. We look different, talk different, think different and live different. Different from Egypt (the world around us) and different from Pharaoh and his ways (the devil and his ways). God puts a distinction between His people and every one else. I sometimes wonder if we put the same distinction?

1 Peter 2:9 But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (NKJV)

We are God’s people. He purchased us with His blood. In fact some Bible versions translate the phrase “His own special people” as a purchased people (KJV uses “peculiar people). Because God purchased us, we are to proclaim His praises or be a witness to others who are still in the darkness. If people who know us can not tell any difference between themselves and us, why would they listen to us?

This Christian life is not a life of ease as some would teach. You must crucify the flesh resist the devil and submit to God’s Word. You must be willing to be different from the world around you (Egyptians). It’s much easier to live like your neighbors and thereby not stand out. It’s easier to go along to get along.

Personally I have made up my mind. Rather than be embarrassed by the distinction of being a child of the King, I choose to embrace it and be proud to of who I am through Him.

I am what I am.

I am what I am and I can’t change! Have you ever heard someone say this? Have you ever said it yourself? I know that I have. Sometimes it seems as though it is impossible to change. There are some personality traits that simply have always been with us and it seems as though they always will be. The fact is though, that we can change. If you have obeyed the gospel, you most likely have already changed. Think about it. Are you really the same person you were?

I’m certainly not saying that you’re who you wish to be. I know I’m not. I still struggle with my temper and many other areas of my life. But I’m better than I was a little over 19 years ago and one day by God’s grace and help, I’ll be even better.

The problem for a believer who says “I am what I am”, is that he’s not taking what God’s Word says into consideration. Two Scriptures come to mind immediately; Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

There are certainly more portions of Scripture than these, but these two make it very clear that God says we can change. The problem usually comes the same way most problems come; we try to do the changing on our own. God expects us to be willing to change but He doesn’t expect us to do it by ourselves. He knows we cannot! However, we can change when we allow Him to help us. I think sometimes we forget that the only true, wise and living God, lives with in us! He will empower us to change.

That doesn’t mean there wont be times of frustration and stumbling. Let’s be real. We are still human and we’re going to make mistakes and do and say things we shouldn’t. Just remember 1 John 1:9 and get back up and start swinging again.

Let’s also remember Philippians 2:5-8:

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (NKJV)

This is our goal in my opinion. To become so like Christ, that we can voluntarily humble ourselves to the role of servant to others. In other words we are to put others first. Even those who despitefully use us. I’m a long ways from being there personally, but by His grace and strength, I’m getting closer.

The Purpose Driven Church?

If you were to ask 10 Christians what the purpose of the Church is, you would probably get as many answers. Obviously I am borrowing the title to the old book Rick Warren wrote many years ago. I have the book and have read it back in the day. Frankly, I don’t remember anything from it so I am stating up front that the title is the only thing I am borrowing.

When I wanted to answer the question of “what is the purpose of the Church” or perhaps more accurately, “what is the mission of the Church”, I looked at the First Church. I looked at Book of Acts and the Gospels leading into the Day of Pentecost. I have come to this conclusion: the Church has only TWO Biblical missions. 1. Evangelize 2. Disciple the converted.

I really do not see any Biblical evidence for any other purpose or goal for the Church that wishes to follow the Book of Acts Church model. This leads me to conclude that if a program or department, etc. does not fulfill one of these two goals, it should not be continued. Obviously it follows that when considering any new venture or “ministry” in the Church, the same litmus test should be used. If it does not have as its goal or purpose the reaching of sinners with the gospel or the discipling of the Christian, it should not be started.

Seems like a pretty obvious conclusion to me. (of course it does! It’s my conclusion!) I sometimes wonder though if the mission of the Church is not sometimes forgotten by well-meaning Pastors and Christians. I have had the privilege to visit many Churches across America and have been a part of a few as well. I would have to say that a good portion have lost track of the mission. For instance, if a “couples ministry” is not focused upon teaching Biblical principles on how to be better spouses and Christians, why bother? If it is just an excuse to have a friday date night with other couples, it should not be funded or considered a ministry of the Church. This is true of ANY “ministry” of the Church. It’s true of any class or teaching time. Bottom line should always be an effort to make disciples or reach the lost. Period. If it does not pursue these goals, why bother?

I would used this same litmus test as a method of selecting which Church to attend and which ministries to support or be a part of. If a Church or ministry does not pursue these goals, don’t attend and don’t support financially or any other way. Perhaps I’m being too Biblical or literal, even too uptight. Maybe I need to loosen up a bit? What do you think?

Death, Where is Your Sting?

Easter Sunday is almost upon us. Symbolically today (Friday) is the day that Christ was crucified for our sins. The perfect, spotless Lamb of God became our passover Lamb. He once and for all atoned or paid the price of our sins.

Then He was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea until Sunday morning. Resurrection day. 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that this is the gospel; Jesus died for our sins, was buried and on the 3rd day rose again.

Paul goes on to explain that without His resurrection, we are still in our sins without hope. You see it was not enough just to die for us. He had to live again. Just as through Adam’s sin, humanity was tainted with sin, so also through Jesus’ obedience and resurrection we can have eternal life.

Indeed Easter in many ways symbolizes everything that Christianity stands for. This is the day we celebrate Christ’s victory over not only over natural death but over spiritual death as well. Because Jesus rose again we know that we will one day rise again to meet Him. If we should die before the return of Christ, we know through His resurrection that we also will rise again from the grave.

Easter Sunday symbolizes more than an abundant life here on earth as Christ’s disciples. Sometimes it seems as though this is the only aspect that people think about anymore. In truth, the Christian’s goal is not just to live a blessed life here on earth. It is to be two-fold: to live a life pleasing to Him on earth and to make Heaven our home with Him someday. It’s easy to get so caught up in just living life that we can become nearsighted spiritually and see only the here and now. In reality, this life is just the road on the journey to home. There is still a hell to shun and a heaven to gain.

Easter Sunday is to be a celebration of Christ’s victory over death for us all. Because of His victory, we can have life forever with Him one day soon. So Easter in some ways is a day to not just remember His victory, but also to remember His promise to come for us again. If you think being a Christian is all about living life to the fullest, then you’ve missed the whole point. That’s just a by-product. Living the Christian life is all about hearing that trumpet one day and rising to meet Him in the air. What a day that will be! Whether rising from the grave or rising from this life, that will be the fulfillment of the promise that come with His resurrection.

Easter is the ultimate reminder that one day Jesus is coming back for His Church. Soon and very soon Lord, even so Lord, come quickly.