July 1 SOAP Devotional

July 1, 2008
Read Exodus 22
To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=2&chapter=22&version=51


Scripture- Exodus 22:31a- You must be my holy people.


Observations- The end of this chapter sounds more like the Ten Commandments than the first part of the chapter, because the penalties given here don’t seem to be enforceable by a human court. The content of the material starting with verse 21 encourages a concern for the weak and vulnerable members of society (aliens, orphans, widows, the needy, the poor).


Application- The relationship God is establishing with the people is to have a significant impact on their lives. They are called to be God’s “holy people.” What does that mean—a people that follow a bunch of rules and laws to show how much better they are than the sinners in the world around them? The purpose of the rules was not to save them, but to help them realize the difference that their devotion to God was to have in their lives. The word holy means to be set apart or consecrated for a special purpose. Our commitments or obedience do not make us holy. God’s presence in our lives makes us holy. God has declared us holy based on what Jesus has already done for us. We are involved in the process of living into this reality on a daily basis—continually growing and learning more and more about God and reflecting God’s image to the world through the lives that we live. We are holy when we say yes to God and surrender our lives to Him. When we make that kind of commitment, we are setting ourselves apart and consecrating ourselves for service to God and the Kingdom of Heaven. When we give ourselves completely to God in this way, then we become concerned about what concerns God. That concern will guide our lives as we care about God’s people and world. God has a special place in God’s heart for the weak, vulnerable outsiders. This is clearly reflected in Jesus’ life and ministry. The folks Jesus hung out with the most were the “dregs” of society—the social outsiders and outcasts. That was one of the chief charges the Pharisees and religious leaders brought against him—he hung out with sinners!


Prayer- Lord, free me from the tyranny of my pharisaical past where I was more interested in being right than in being Your beloved son. Help me to give all that I know of myself to all that I know of You in a humble act of complete surrender. Make me what You have already declared me to be. Help me to care about what, and WHO, you care about. Help me to see others through Your loving eyes and to have Your loving heart toward them. Amen.



Surrendering All—Again and Again,

Pastor Matt