Our pastor is preaching through a series he has entitled "The Gospel According to Moses." He's a good preacher, and there is a lot packed into Exodus and Moses, so it has been a good series. This week kicked my butt.
The first commandment is "Thou shalt have no other God's before me." (It's just better with the "Thee" and the "Thou.") Pastor Tim went on to talk about how that is the first commandment, and there is a very good reason for it. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, it hit me. It isn't just the most important commandment, but it is the foundation for everything. Why, if God really was the only and most important god in my life, then I could keep every single one of those other nine commandments. And be a good person besides. The following nine commandments are all rooted in idolatry. Well, holy shit. Now what?
Through Pastor Tim's words, I came to realize that every major stumbling block in my life is rooted in idolatry. My problems with eating and spending. My critical nature. My judgmental spirit. My bitterness. My laziness. All of it. Oh, to make God first in my life. Oh, to find success. Oh, to truly be a city on a hill. A new creation that stems beyond the part of salvation that is for me alone.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! For He bears us on eagles' wings, regardless of the obedience. But the special treasure part comes from the obedience. Thank God He doesn't make it contingent upon continued obedience.
No wonder I got tears in my eyes at the final stanza of "A Church's One Foundation."
Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation of peace forevermore,
Till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Amen. I wish we still ended all of our hymns with that sweet word.
