In Deuteronomy, Moses is preparing Israel for his imminent death, the transfer of leadership to Joshua, and the long-awaited entry into the Land of Promise. His messages, almost sermon-like in structure, are caring, warm-hearted and personal. They ring with wisdom and his patent understanding of humanity. It is a book widely quoted throughout the New Testament, even used by Yahshua Himself, in response to the temptations in the wilderness [Matthew 4:1-10]. This alone gives us encouragement to draw from its wisdom to help in our own walk with Yahshua.
Recently, I was arrested by the fact that Moses told Israel Yahweh wouldn’t deal with the Canaanites instantly, but would “drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once…” [Deuteronomy 7:22, italics added]. As I paused, I understood this was one of the Bible’s timeless principles. When we receive the initial gift of salvation, sin is forgiven, the sinful past remembered no more, guilt is removed and new life begins. It’s a glorious, life-changing experience.
It can be a shock when some of those inbred reactions, desires, or habits begin to surface. When old feelings of bitterness, rejection, hurt, or a host of others struggle inside us. Why is this? It is one of reasons Paul urges us to, “continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling” [Philippians 2:12, Amplified Bible]. The new life in Yahshua is like claiming an ongoing ‘promised land’ which reaches right into eternity. Living this new life, and walking in the holiness expected of us, will throw up many things which we need to eliminate. But ‘You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once…’!
The closer we get to Yahshua, the more our life will be illuminated and the more our imperfections will show. This is not failure, it’s part of growing in holiness; urging us on to claim more and more of our personal lives [promised land] for dedication and service to Him. “It will be a life’s work,” writes Charles Spurgeon!
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You Are The BranchesClick to see the whole passage:
1 timothy 3:16 NIV - Beyond all question, the mystery from - Bible Gateway
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