“I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples.” (Lev. 20:24)
In Leviticus God laid the laws, statutes and ordinances upon His people because He was separating them from all other peoples unto Himself. The seed of Abraham was set aside as God’s own because God decided to do so. He claimed them as His own. They were to be different from all other people. God’s dealings with them were pictures and types for the truths of becoming sons of God in the eternal Kingdom of His Presence. We do not separate ourselves unto God. God claims us. God has set up this covenant relationship and the chosen ones have only to chose Him to have His Holy character formed in them.
Yes, faith is most important. With it we are born again and by it we grow. Yet that is only the human side of our relationship with God. You could not choose God if He had not first chosen you (Jn. 15:16). The very existence of the divine covenant is evidence that God laid claim to you first. Your willful obedience to His guidance is your recognition of that claim.
Our body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit; therefore, that Presence begins to transform our many habits and character flaws which cannot endure the light of His Presence. God sanctifies and separates unto Himself down to the last jot and tittle! As the law showed man his hopeless condition of sin, so the indwelling Spirit of God points out the believers’ weaknesses. I must yield my natural life to His growing influence within me.
Am I forming the mind of Christ? Jesus never sought personal rights, but maintained a constant watchfulness to the Father? He constantly submitted His Spirit to the Father’s Presence. Gradually, as I follow Christ in this, I am lifted into His likeness. I yield to the checks of His Spirit and in turning to Him I am “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2Cor. 7:1) God is totally beyond me, yet He draws me to Himself!
“Today, God, I yield literally, habitually and willfully to the encouragements and corrections of Your Presence. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
