Leviticus & Valentine's Day

"If you love Me, obey My commandments." John 14:15

I'm in the process of reading through the Bible this year in chronological order. Currently, I'm working my way through the ever entertaining book of Leviticus; chapters 8 -10 if you care to know.

In times past I've wondered exactly what it was that God wanted me to learn as I read about the number of bulls that had to be sacrificed for each particular offering and which parts had to be burned, which could be eaten and which had to be taken outside the camp to be disposed of. Don't get me wrong, it's all very fascinating and not the least bit sleep inducing (and that was not the least bit facetious), but in the seemingly endless blur of detail there did not appear to be a lesson to be learned for the modern reader.

Oh sure, I know that the Old Testament is a "picture" of the New, and that all the sacrificing of only perfect animals without blemish is a picture of Jesus's, God's perfect lamb, sacrifice for us. I get that.

I get the fact that it shows God has certain requirements for us to be his priesthood (1Peter 2:9). Just as they had purifying rituals to go through, I think we take too cavalierly our own walk with God. Yes, He is a friend of sinners and He is love, but He is also a holy and just God. As Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons learned then, God is still a consuming fire. We need to remember that nothing unholy comes into God's presence. Thank God for the covering of Jesus!

As I was reading through this morning though, I was struck by one particular phrase. In chapter 8 alone, this phrase appears 6 times. I believe that this phrase explains the close relationship that Moses had with God. After all, God says that He spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend (Ex. 33:11). I believe this phrase is also the key to our, yours and mine, relationship to God, as well as with others. What's the phrase? "... just as the Lord had commanded him."

Moses was careful to do what the Lord asked of him. Moses' obedience was an act of love.

Jesus says that's how we also can show love - through our obedience (John 14:15 for those with short attention spans). What is "obedience?" It's in the "doing."

I suppose it's because Valentine's Day is near, but it strikes me that this is not just a way to show love to God, but to everyone in our lives.

Often, it's an easy pattern to fall into - to say we love, but to do nothing that shows that love. In fact, our actions sometimes prove otherwise. That has been the pattern of people since nearly the beginning. It happens in our relationships with one another and it happens in our relationship to God. God Himself said, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me."

Sometimes the "doing" is in the mundane tasks we all face each and every day. Aside from the fact that God tells us to do everything as if it were for Him (Col. 3:23), we should "do" simply because it's a way to show love to those afffected by our lives and actions. Husbands - do the dishes once in a while; wives - bring him a snack and a drink while he watches the ballgame. You get the idea.

We should also "do" regardless of whether the one we love is "doing," or not doing, in return. If she doesn't respond to your dish washing, do it again anyway. If he doesn't thank you for the grub, bring hot wings next time. How often has God done something for you that you failed to thank Him for? In fact, for us it's worse. God loved us before we knew Him, in fact, He loved us while we were His enemies. Hopefully you don't view your spouse as your enemy, but even if you do, need I remind you that we are to love as Christ loved? That's what I thought - OUCH! Remember "love your neighbor as yourself?" Do you have a closer neighbor than your spouse?

One final thought: Jesus said that "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Matt6:21) Why not try investing your treasures on the One, and the ones, that you say you love? Let them feel the worth you say they hold in your heart. If the love has grown cold, investing your treasures in that love is a sure way to get your heart to follow. You have God's Word on it!

Do your words and your deeds match?