Like Me, Not Them

Word
When you enter the land your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. -- Deuteronomy 18:9

Observation
This is my second journal in a row where the word ‘detestable’ is uttered by God—granted I’ve “accidentally” skipped two days worth of reading. But in any case the LORD God is very adamant about keeping his people holy in His sight. Many times I’ve read in the bible where the Israelites did the opposite and moved into a new land and adopted its customs and religious rituals. They would mix their one true God with other gods and somehow think it was all going to be okay. But of course the more you read on you discover how these very actions would bring about their destruction.

Revelation
This is no new revelation for me, but rather a confirmation that the LORD God almighty detests sin. Modern Christianity, in many circles, looks nothing like Christ and completely like the world it’s supposedly trying to save. This idea of ‘Cultural Relevancy’ is spoken against clearly here in Deuteronomy by God Himself. God said DO NOT imitate surrounding nations. In essence, look nothing like them. And yet today I find it very difficult to walk down the street and discern a believer from a non-believer.

My hope is this isn’t coming across as judgment, because I’m simply quoting the Word of God. It’s time we wake up as the people of God and distinguish ourselves as such. I must somehow bare the unmistakable mark as a Son of Glory. How do I do that? Well for starters, I DON’T blend in with the culture surrounding me but rather stand out like a soar thumb. So how do I not do that? Prayer, fasting, spending time in the Word, communing with God’s Spirit—these are the keys to unlocking this *big* mystery of how to save the world. After all, that’s what He died and resurrected for—so that I might have relationship with the Father and make disciples like myself.

Devotion
Thank you for your grace God for a people that walk away and back again so much. Wake us up LORD. Take the words culturally relevant out of our vocabulary and make us different. Set us apart from this nation surrounding us so that we might truly fulfill your Great Commission.