Another guest post from friend, Bill Finesilver. It hits on current theme in our lives. It was written on Monday, March 30, 2015.
Leviticus 20:26
And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
At church yesterday, we celebrated confirmation services for a class of children who had completed the course, and had decided to give their lives to Christ.
Our pastor got in front of each child and asked them their full name. Then He said “So and so, you have been claimed and set apart for Jesus Christ for His purposes from here on out.” Or something to that effect.
Multitudes were watching in the congregation. Other children were standing in the balcony so that they could see. Angels in heaven and heavenly hosts also witnessed this day. The day when a soul was to be claimed and set apart for Jesus and His purposes.
I don’t know what that entails for the angels, but I am sure they have much work to do, for now the battle has begun. Now those children are to be attacked by the enemy, to try and pry their devotion and attention from Jesus.
For today’s scripture verse I chose the version that says that we have been severed by God from all other people, that we should be His.
This means that we know longer follow others and their ways – for our hands and feet have been severed from our will. This may mean changing jobs or partners in business. This may mean no longer picking up that glass of wine or going to those parties or trips to Vegas. This may mean asking the Lord what exactly His plans are for you now that He has severed you from all people and plans and taken you as His own. This may mean changing the way you do things completely.
Actually this means all of the above. God says you and I are now holy unto Him. This means that every other desire or organization or venture you are part of no longer matters. Only His desire and purpose is of consequence. And His ways of doing things can be done.
Severed means severed. It doesn’t mean sort of connected or half way between your usual way of doing things and His. Holy means Holy. Not somewhat Holy or Holy on Sundays. Most of us see enough of that in this world, and it ruins God’s witness to the world.
His means His. You and I no longer do our will, but His.
If you believe that Jesus Christ is inside of you, than that means that at some point in your life, you asked Him in. You told Him that you wanted Him to take over and to forgive you and to bless you with eternal life. You wanted Him more than anything.
That day was a glorious day, observed by multitudes if not on earth, than for sure in Heaven.
What you may or may not have realized was that you were claimed that day and that very day all the plans He was hoping to do in you were set in motion.
When I work there is nothing more difficult for me than when someone gives me a job, and then takes back ownership and control of that job so that I cannot do the job as I see fit. It is hard to do the job correctly when they take back any part of the job.
The same is true with the Lord. Most of us, gave Him our life, but took it back the very next moment. Especially when things got a little tough and weren’t sure we liked the direction things were going.
Today, give your life back to Him. Allow Him to have His purpose. And with all your heart decide that this time you won’t take it back when something or someone comes your way. Don’t make a decision without hearing from Him. And don’t interfere in your life any longer but trust the Lord with all your heart that He is able and good and will do great things with you if you will let Him.