Scripture Reading: Leviticus 26:1-6
In our daily activities and itinerary, we observe certain things that we have to critically evaluate and if we look back for some years, we will observe that they have become routinely necessary.
For example, most people will not want to go out without brushing their teeth. We even at times, have specific time that we wake up and if this could become difficult, then, we switch on our alarm system to that specific time. Daily, we observe these and they become part of us.
Likewise, God has highlighted some things that He told the Jews to observe and/or what not to do.
For example, Lecticus 26:2 says that “ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord”.
Thus, our not keeping the Sabbath day is a spiritual failure.
In our service in His Sanctuary too, there are established doctrines that we adhere to from commencement of service (which some do through procession) to the end (recession).
Several church dogmas that are referred to as Order or liturgical practices, are what we adhere to in fulfilment of our routine church activities.
To this end, some churches start their Sunday service by 7am, some conduct Sunday School at 8am and commence the full service by 9am, etc. All these are doctrinal practices that are established for easier understanding of how each church organisation operates.
While observing these, however, we must be conscious so that we don’t conflict with biblical standards.
No doctrine should ever conflict with God’s instructions.
For example, when we put images in our church environments, and expecting people to go there for prayer, it is pure worshipping of graven image, which is against Leviticus 26:1.
Whilst establishing our order of programmes in tandem with our doctrinal practices, we must be well guided by the dictates of the Scriptures and the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Any contrary activities with the word of God should not be considered – they are just human practices that are not guided through spirituality.
Consequently, in all the actions of the biblical Hebrews, God gave specific instructions to successive leaders of the people, on how He should be worshipped.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might”. This affirms that nothing should be done to displease God’s and contradict His instructions.
In addition to this, we are duty bound to also obey those that have been anointed to lead us through adherence to established practices. If anyone is in conflict with what ‘we think’ is appropriate, then, we are to take it up through formal channels and not by way of backbiting and rebellion.
We can learn from the incidents of Miriam/Aaron vs Moses (Numbers 12), and Dathan, Korah and Abiram vs Moses (Numbers 16:1-25).
In all of these, God proved that He is the one that has the final say concerning His anointed leaders (Deuteronomy 17:12).
Thus, many misguided words against constituted authorities, even, when we think that we are saying the obvious might work against us. This is where wisdom is needed in our Christian life.
May we continue to be relevant in God’s Vineyard, through Christ our Lord.
Memory Verse : Leviticus 26:3-4
“(3) if ye walk in my statues, and keep my commandments, and do them (4) then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and trees of the field shall yield their fruits”.
Author
Baba Aladura, Elder Israel Akinadewo – FCA, PhD
Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW)/President, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)