Greeting in Christ’s name. We’ve arrived at the 11th day of 2010 – how’s your resolve holding up? It’s said that most resolvers abandon their resolutions after the third week of the new year. As I shared with you last week, at Gateway Community Church where I am Pastor, we made a lasting resolution that enables us to last:
I resolve to follow Christ and live in His light in 2010. Connected to that is living a life pleasing to God. We all have someone(s) we strive to please above others, don’t we? Here’s a strong reality that produces a strong and positive Christian: If we please God it doesn’t matter who we displease. If we displease God it doesn’t matter who we please. Moses wanted to please God. Let’s get with him in Exodus 33 and 34 and see how pleasing God works. Here are a few factors – but you must read the story for yourself and read yourself into the story to truly get it. I encourage you to do it.
- Moses’ face became “radiant” as a result of pleasing God. Though he was unaware of it, the people saw his radiant face. It was a sign to them that he had been with God. We can ask, “What is my face radiating?” Take a look at your face – what do you see there? It’s not a matter of being pretty or handsome, or the color of the skin or the texture, but the radiance of a spiritual walk with Christ that come shining through. (Note 34:29-35)
- Moses had a “meeting place” with God. (Note 33:7-11) Here God communicated with him as a “friend”. In his meeting Moses wanted to know if God was pleased with him. He spoke fervently and said, “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” God still speaks to us primarily through His Word, Jesus Christ, the “living incarnate Word”, and the Bible, the “living written Word”. Note the progression – God teaches us his “ways” so we may “know” Him so we may “continue” on with Him and “find favor” with Him. This is what meeting with God is all about. On this website you’ll see a PACE page. Check it out and discover how to have a “meeting with God” seven days every week.
- God promised Moses His own “presence” would make him distinctive. But how do we enter God’s presence? Experience His presence? Maintain His presence? Enjoy His presence? Get the “radiance”? Heads up now, here comes a revelation! No man can enter God’s presence, get to God alone. “This is good, and pleases God our Savior,who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men….” (I Timothy 2:3ff) We enter God’s presence following Christ as our Savior, our Mediator, our Way. Christ makes a person distinctive because He alone brings us into the presence of God.
- Moses asked God to reveal His glory to Him. And He did – as much as Moses was able to bear. He made a “cleft” in the rock for Moses. From that cleft he was able to see a portion of God without losing His very life! We get the song, “Rock Of Ages Cleft For Me”, from His experience. It’s so revealing – Christ is called our Rock! In Him God has made a cleft for us to know Him and experience God’s glory. Negatively, Scripture says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Positively, Scripture says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 3:23, 6:23) And the topper? “…God has chosen to make known…the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27ff)
God radiates! A life pleasing to God radiates. A radiating life pleases us.
Love in Christ, Chuck
P.S.: Share your “radiating” story? Let me hear from you.