Corona Devo 1932

I don't think we realize how easy and how awesome God has made it for us to come-near to Him.  

We become easily caught up in doing good and Godly things and wanting to serve God and others in the Name of God, but when we do too much and think too much and misunderstand that ANY of that is necessary in order for us to come-before our God and be accepted by Him...well: we're wrong.  Those are not God's rules (anymore).

We are (already) accepted and loved and welcomed by the God of all creation.  Already and now.  The work (all of it) has been done by Jesus. 

And we are not wrong to think that God is too holy for us---He is!  And when we come to Him, it must always be in holy fear and awe.  But, while God once (with the people of Israel--His original chosen people) required sanctification rituals and ordained holy-people (only!) to approach Him--God no longer requires such measures from us.  This is because of God's Son, Jesus, who satisfied the sanctification necessary for our sin and who stands before us in front of God.  As our Heavenly Father looks at us, He sees us through the lense of Christ's sacrifice for us.

But it wasn't always that way.  God's people (prior to Jesus) used to have to earn it and be cleansed over and over and over.  And they could only approach God through chosen people, like Moses.  Exodus 19 explains: 

Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. (2) ...they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.  

(3) Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: (4) ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. (5) Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. (6) And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”  

(7) So Moses returned from the mountain and called together the elders of the people and told them everything the Lord had commanded him. (8) And all the people responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” So Moses brought the people’s answer back to the Lord.  

(9) Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.”...

(10) Then the Lord told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival...  (12) Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death. (13) No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.’  However, when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain.” 

(16) On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. (17) Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. (18) All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. (19) As the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply. (20) The Lord came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.  

(21) Then the Lord told Moses, “Go back down and warn the people not to break through the boundaries to see the Lord, or they will die. (22) Even the priests who regularly come near to the Lord must purify themselves so that the Lord does not break out and destroy them.” ~Exodus 19:1-10, 12-13, 16-22

This was how the people of Israel (who God loved and still loves very much!) first experienced God.  His power and authority were serious and even scary!  

But we do not have to experience God in that way.  Not anymore.  And not because of anything we have done, but only (and all) because of Jesus.  

Because of Jesus there are no boundaries that we may not break through.

I don't think we realize how easy and how awesome God has made it for us to come-near to Him, even though He reigns in power and authority.  But God outlines His change-of-process in our sanctification in Hebrews Chapter 12.  We have to know the old way in order to fully appreciate the new way.  The Jesus way.  

Jesus changed everything for you and me:

You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. (19) For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. (20) They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” (21) Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”  

(22) No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.

(23) You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. 

You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. 

You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 

(24) You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. 

(25) Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 

(26) When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” (27) This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.  

(28) Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (29) For our God is a devouring fire.  ~Hebrews 12:18-29

The nature of God has not changed one bit.  He is holy.  (Holier and mightier than we can even understand.)  Our God is a devouring fire.

But...because of Jesus, we do not have to earn God's love and acceptance and salvation through works or sacrifice or anything.  Jesus has earned all of God's grace for us.  All that we have to do is accept Christ into our hearts and listen to God .  

I say "all" that we have to do, but God is serious in requiring that we do it.  Don't refuse to listen to God today.

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking.  ~Hebrews 12:25

God's original promise and command to the people of Israel (His original chosen people) is still in effect for us, but the repeated sacrifices and continual feelings of guilt are not still in effect for us, because of Jesus.

Live in God's promises today.  

Let's realize how easy and how awesome God has made it for us to come-near to Him...and let's do it.

(5) Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. (6) And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’..."   ~Exodus 19:3-6

And like God's people in the Old Testament, let's respond together, to the Lord today, saying “We will do everything the Lord has commanded” (Exodus 19:8).  

Blessings,  

sarah  

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com