#DailyDevotion Have You Been Sacrificing To Other Gods?

Easter Week 2 Monday

Read Ex 22:20—23:13

Exo 22:20  “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction….Exo 23:13  “Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.

 

The Lord is giving instruction in daily living to the Israelites, how they are to live in the land he had sworn to their fathers. We would do well to live by them as well as Christians. Who could really argue with them? They are the wisdom of God.

 

But before and after them we have these two instructions, not to sacrifice to other gods or take their names upon our lips. For other gods have not given instructions like these in how to live a godly and pleasing life upon the earth. These would separate the Israelites from all other peoples upon the earth. They were to be a different people.

 

When Jesus called the disciples upon the mountain and upon the plain and instructed them and us into the way of living before him, it was to be for a similar effect to the nations of the world. We Christians are to be different. Our morality is to supersede that of worldly governments. Certainly we are to live under the law of the governments but our righteousness is to exceed that even of the Pharisees.

 

No doubt, we have not been doing that in our daily lives. How often do we still let the sun go down in our anger? How often do we sue for our shirt and cloak? How often must we retain our rights and not be wronged? I know I have not given the sort of witness to the life of Christ within me as I should have. In a sense, we have sacrificed to the gods of this world and not been faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

 

Thanks be to God, there is forgiveness and repentance with Jesus. With resurrected hearts and spirits we can repent, receive forgiveness and the Holy Spirit who transforms our lives to that of our Savior Jesus Christ..

 

Heavenly Father, grant that we may turn from our way of life in the world, worship you only, and live out Christ’ life in our lives to the glory of your holy name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.