Entry 44
God is Calling You Into Service
By Grace - Through Faith - In Jesus Christ
2Chr 30:15 Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
2Chr 30:16 And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, [which they received] of the hand of the Levites.
2Chr 30:17 For [there were] many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one [that was] not clean, to sanctify [them] unto the LORD.
2Chr 30:16 And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, [which they received] of the hand of the Levites.
2Chr 30:17 For [there were] many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one [that was] not clean, to sanctify [them] unto the LORD.
This is an awesome picture of what takes place when God brings willing hearts unto himself. First we are convicted of sin and we become contrite before God. Notice "they killed the Passover", then the Levites became ashamed. When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached properly this is the normal response in those hearts where God is at work. "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" (1Cor5:7)
(John 16:8 [AKJV/PCE]) And when he [the Spirit of God] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
(2Cor 7:10 [AKJV/PCE])
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
In a state of contrition, the priests "sanctified" themselves. This is what happens when God enters our hearts and convicts of of sin, we become contrite or ashamed, we repent, and turn ourselves to the Lord. This "sanctifying" the Levites did is repentance. They were away from God and in sin and now they have turned to the Lord. They have set themselves at His service, forsaking, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, those things which previously occupied them.
(John 16:8 [AKJV/PCE]) And when he [the Spirit of God] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
(2Cor 7:10 [AKJV/PCE])
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
In a state of contrition, the priests "sanctified" themselves. This is what happens when God enters our hearts and convicts of of sin, we become contrite or ashamed, we repent, and turn ourselves to the Lord. This "sanctifying" the Levites did is repentance. They were away from God and in sin and now they have turned to the Lord. They have set themselves at His service, forsaking, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, those things which previously occupied them.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?
Isaiah 66:2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Isaiah 66:2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Psalms 34:18 The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The next thing we see is "they stood in their place after their manner," (vs16). Once were have been convicted of sin, repented and have sanctified ourselves unto the service of the Lord, He will then, according to His will, appoint us to our office of service. Some of these, not all, are listed here:
1) Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
2) 1Cor 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
3) Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
2) 1Cor 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
3) Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Devotional Reading
I pray the Lord feed you by His Spirit as you read the following passages.
Set your ears upon Him as you read.
I pray the Lord feed you by His Spirit as you read the following passages.
Set your ears upon Him as you read.
Eph 4:1 [I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called,
Eph 4:2 [With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5[AKJV])
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 [But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Why he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
Eph 4:9 [(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
(Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we from now on be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.
Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you from now on walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Eph 4:20 But you have not so learned Christ;
Eph 4:21 If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.
Eph 4:2 [With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5[AKJV])
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:7 [But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Why he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
Eph 4:9 [(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
(Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we from now on be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.
Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you from now on walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Eph 4:20 But you have not so learned Christ;
Eph 4:21 If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.
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