The Glory in the Commandment
Leviticus 9:5-6
And they brought what Moses commanded in front of the tent of meeting, and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD. And Moses said, “This is the thing that the LORD commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.”
There’s a glorious vision that evades us when we pursue our own idea of happiness and tout every compromising step backwards as progress, rather than pursuing ‘the thing the LORD commanded us to do.’
I saw a meme the other day being liked by thousands of people where the writer joked that his divorce finally brought him the American dream. I recently watched a sad interview with a female celebrity who transitioned last year, telling the interviewer of her newfound happiness through the saddest expression I’ve ever seen; as if her soul’s been slowly leaking from the wounds she now wears in her mutilated body. I read an even more discomforting testimonial from another TV personality who congratulated herself for aborting her baby, claiming that she would’ve been forced to give up her lucrative career of filming commercials if she’d chosen motherhood instead.
It’s all the same lie though. “He makes me a better person,” says the unfaithful spouse. “I’m more myself now,” says the gender transitioner. “I’m free to pursue my dreams,” says the abortionist. “I’m on a path to the true meaning of life,” says the apostate. “I’m less stressed out,” says the heavy drinker. “I’m my own boss,” says the money launderer. “I’m just keeping it real,” says the foul-mouthed. “I get to follow my own path—not anyone else’s,” says the wayward human heart. The truth is we’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We’ve all made rationalizations to cover up our shame. But our great and merciful God calls out above the din of devilish deceptions a life-saving word to all those who will hear: “Confess your sins and I will be faithful and just to forgive you your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness!"
Friend, walking in obedience to God is the only way to greater fulfillment and greater glory today. Let’s not deprive ourselves of heavenly wonders by repeating the claptrap of a fallen world. We know better than that. But by the grace of God at work within us, let’s do better.