Exodus 19 Thought
I guess in Exodus that I always go to Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments, but today had an Exodus 19 thought. Take a look at Exodus 19:5-6.
5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you[a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
God set them apart through circumcision and a host of things like the 10 commandments. He indicated that people could stay and be treated well in the Jewish community if they accepted the whole culture God had set up for Israel.
33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
God has always had his heart on the world. He knew he needed to focus on one family and tribe to start his plan, but he never wanted to lose the world.
Therefore, there is a very good reason then that Peter clarifies this in the New Testament.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
God’s Exodus 19 Thought is to Reach the World
God’s intent was not to have pastors and priests be the religious people who spread the faith. It is one reason why I did not work hard to be a full time missionary to China. Our impact is greatest when we are people in the market (um here is my business) just like Paul the Apostle was making tents. Everyone one of us of faith has the light of God by His Spirit to touch a lost world. We do not need to bring our friends to church or to the pastor to get them saved.
We can reach them directly- and baptize them and have communion with them in your home if needed. I have and do in my context.
We are a kingdom of priests to reach a lost world. If you don’t know how, find out how. Many groups would be glad to help you. I learned from the Navigators for example.
Can we love the unlovable? Sure, Jesus loved us who are not holy at all. Further, He loves the unloveable because he has eyes to see what is lovable about each person. His amazing love goes with us, and we can love a lost world because we know God made them something wonderful. God does not make trash.
It is uncomfortable to help people know this God we love. But Jesus went through much much more discomfort to reach us. That is how much he loves us. We can work through the trials and ups and downs of loving our neighbor. From unreached to saved often takes 2 years where I sit.
God help us to love and reach other people.
