A New Opportunity

Exodus 19:1-6

The difference between a slave and a freed person is more than external. We have said before that is one thing to take the person out of slavery and it is quite another to take the slavery out of the person. In the readings this week, God will begin giving his people a new vision for life, a vision of life lived outside of the shackles of man and bound like God is—to truth, goodness, hope and peace. They will meet God at Sinai, receive the Ten Commandments and begin getting a picture of what life in relationship to God should be all about.

Today, we read how God establishes the covenant. He begins by recounting his goodness to the people and showing them the promise before them. The promise for Israel is that they would be God’s treasured possession, a Kingdom of priests and a holy nation if they will obey his voice. That promise has been given to us in Christ. Though Israel, never lived up to the promise, Jesus did, for he fulfilled the big “if” of the passage. So all who are united to Christ are truly treasured by God, a royal priesthood and holy.

Knowing and experiencing these things to be true for ourselves is one the richest aspects of our relationship with God, and yet, probably the most elusive. I would suggest that there are two misguided paths that lead us away from enjoying this new identity that leads us into freedom.

1. When we read the “if” of this passage, we immediately apply it to ourselves and skip out on what Jesus has done. I am only a treasured possession to God when I fully obey. So, we base our assurance on our performance, and relegate the cross to symbolism (Gal 2:21)

2. When we read the “if’ of this passage, we recognize Jesus’ fulfillment of it, but stop there. It is wonderful to embrace the work of Christ on the cross, but it is easy to forget to that our connection to Christ isn’t just legal but it is lifestyle. Paul describes being united to Christ as something that draws him into a completely different life with a completely different agenda. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live. The life I live in the body, I live by faith…” (Gal 2:20).

Posted by Marc