fasting-empty-plate-16EARNING HOLINESS

Today we complete the 8th and final redemptive name of God that we started 8 days ago. They are all so powerful and this one is a big ole exclamation mark at the end. The name is:

JEHOVAH M’KADDESH – The Lord my Sanctifier

This name comes out of the following passage found in Exodus 31:12-14

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. 14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people.

The significance of this verse is that for several chapters, God is giving instructions about all of the exact measurements of the temple, curtains, pillars and furniture that is supposed to go in the temple. Like, what material everything is made out of and what precious metal it is to be overlaid in and what color it is supposed to be. He is so precise and exact about every little piece of the temple and if it isn’t followed, He will not fill the temple and will not accept any of the sacrifices. But at the end of chapter after chapter of specific instructions he says this:
“This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy”. As if God was saying: “You can follow every instruction that I give to you, but remember, even that doesn’t make you holy. Only I can do that, you must rest (take a Sabbath) in this fact!”

And then, He goes on by saying if you don’t take a Sabbath and rest in the fact that I make you holy (not all your works) you shall be put to death! Wow … ummm … a little harsh right? But, He is making a beautiful point right here. What God is saying to us is this …

“Don’t ever think that your good works or your amazing ability to follow instructions can ever make you worthy to come before me. I love you so much that I am choosing to make you holy in spite of all of your weaknesses and I am the only one that can offer forgiveness, throw your sins as far as the east is from the west and make you holy before me!”

As we are now in the final week of the fast, remember, we are not fasting to get God’s attention, get Him to love us more or accept us more. We are simply fasting to align ourselves with God, so we can hear better and see clearer for very specific reasons. Not to earn holiness points. It is about our obedience and love for a holy God who loves us unconditionally. But this question is still one we have to ask.

Q. ARE YOU TRYING TO EARN HOLINESS BEFORE GOD?

If so, settle it in your spirit. There is nothing you can do to ever earn it except accepting it from Him. Approach God with confidence in His love and let your actions be an extension of your love back toward Him.

Happy Fasting!
P. Sean

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