It is one of the ideals of man to live in a state of complete freedom, to live and act without restraint or obligation Of course it would probably mean complete and utter ruin for such a society and God’s Word declares that such was not the purpose or intention of human life God’s ways are higher than man’s ways, and God’s thought are higher than man’s thoughts, therefore it is with great Interest that we look to God’s alternative of this false ideal
Israel of old did the same thing As they suffered the slavery and oppression of the Egyptian bondage, they willingly fell to their knees in prayer, to ask for God’s help And their prayers were not in vain ‘God heard their groaning and God remembered His covenant” Exodus 2 24 Deliverance came in due time by the hand of Moses after the dramatic and conclusive display of God’s power with the plagues
But somehow there was a misunderstanding Somehow Israel had misunderstood the terms of their deliverance They were quite ready to accept the promise of the land flowing with milk and honey especially since the hardships of slavery would be left behind and forgotten That would be an easy choice But something was to be required of them and this was the point of departure in faithfulness to God They would be free of the Egyptians but in return they would have to serve the living God
“Let my people go that they may serve me,” were Moses words to Pharaoh, as God’s spokesman “Ye shall serve God upon this mountain” was among the instructions given to Moses at the time his commission Israel’s deliverance was affected because of their potential ro in God’s purpose, both in their fulfillment of a covenant made to Abraham and as the future custodian’s of God law and word in the earth
The privileges and benefits were staggering even discounting the eternal nature of their calling But it was not to be a free hand out It was not to be received without a responsible attitude toward its source and purpose and many of the early nation failed to grasp the spec opportunity of God’s plan with them Hence the many failings in the wilderness and the yearning, of some, to even return to Egypt
Such is the case with Christian life today We are delivered from a great bondage, that of eternal condemnation for our sins (Romans 7 24, 25) And having willingly accepted this happy alternative to eternal death, we are asked by God to demonstrate a character be fitting those that are truly thankful and concerned with the eternal principals truth and righteousness We are no free to live just any old way We don’t have a complete and undisciplined freedom to act as we please In fact the opposite is true “Take my yoke up you and learn of me” was the instruction of Jesus our Master
The benefits and blessings that company righteous living are the rest of the proper enforcement of God commands They are not indiscriminate granted by God to those who make but a nominal commitment to the way of Christ The way of life is a transformation from one way of life to another, from one master to another master Let us not be content to sit back and wait for the kingdom of God to come Ours can only be a life of service in a barren wilderness until our entrance into the promised land Then — and this is the point to remember — will be the manges in the wilderness, when the dry, parched land will yield her increase and our Service continue in perfection that service is required is the essential and eternal ingredient in our calling If we are still in Egypt let us make haste to out If we have left Egypt let us ever look back but examine and enhance the great prize that is ours and then share it with all who will listen Jesus showed us no less
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One