July 30 Do You Know?

July 30

Right Teaching

 

Ezekiel 44:23-24 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. 24 In a dispute, they shall act as judges, and they shall judge it according to my judgments. They shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts, and they shall keep my Sabbaths holy. 

THE Lord continues to reveal to Ezekiel his plans to restore to Jerusalem the temple, true worship and righteous law. It's almost as if Ezekiel is a second Moses. Moses was God's lawgiver to teach Israel God's ways as they came out of their slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land. Ezekiel is conveying God's laws to Israel as the Lord prepares to bring them home from their exile to Babylon.

           The lesson is very clear. The priests are to teach and live out God's true ways. God's people can only be God's people when they know the differences between God's rule and the world's chaos. Certainly as Christians, we must know the difference between right and wrong, living toward God and toward one another.

           Yes, the lesson is simple. But are you heeding God's teachings? Do you know the differences between God's Word and the world's words? Recently, I heard a pastor remark with despair how many in his church were unaware of the Bible's teaching on certain issues that mark our headlines today. He summed his despair with, "I can't believe they didn't know! The Bible's teachings are so clear."

           But they are not clear if we don't know them or haven't heard them. The truth gets covered and cloudy when we do not pick up the Bible to clear away the fog of lies around us. It takes time to sit down to God's order and to shut down the world's disorder. A purposeful heart is required to open up to God's clear teachings. Effort is necessary to learn what is seldom taught. As Christians, we have responsibilities to clearly know, teach and live God's true laws.

           Furthermore, we are to be as priests in our homes. We must teach the Bible to our children and other family members. Be responsible. The knowledge of God is to begin in the home. I pray you make your home a holy temple unto the Lord. Be one who learns. Be a teacher. Be as a priest to teach what is wrong and what is right.

Prayer: Turn my mind each day to know your words, Lord. Make me as a true priest of the Lord among my family. In Jesus' name. Amen.