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God’s People, Qâdash and the Ways of The World

God’s People, Qâdash and the Ways of The World

Last updated on: February 10, 2024 at 4:42 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

God’s People, Qâdash and the Ways of The World 2024-02-10T16:42:25-05:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This week there’s been a lot of controversy over the Supreme Court. Within the court, there is a rift between two perspectives, conservative justices versus liberal justices. The court is considered the supreme law of the land in America.

Supreme Court

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The entire country and perhaps the world are waiting for its decision on whether citizen Trump should be allowed on the 2024 election ballot after his involvement in the 2021 insurrection the whole world witnessed.

However, many have tried to twist and manipulate the narrative to justify the un-American and unchristian actions that took place on the world stage.

Chaos
Greed
Violence
Deception

Ironically, the GOP is supposed to be the party of law and order. Most people agree there was nothing legal, patriotic, or orderly to what some claim was a “peaceful protest.”

True conservatives value justice and the law. Christianity emphasizes humility over pride. God represents truth over lies (Proverbs 6:16-19, Ephesians 4:25.) He ordains punishment for the lawbreakers (Romans 13:1-14.)

Again, we must remember God’s people are called to set themselves apart from a world of chaos and greed.

Set apart

The spiritual word for God’s people is “consecrated,” and it means much more than just being set apart, we are devoted to God and His purposes. God’s creation was always meant to glorify God.

Consecration

Image by Pixabay

In the beginning, God created mankind to fellowship with Himself (Genesis 1:26-27.) However, mankind decided to listen to the feel-good lies of the devil and creation drifted away from God.

The prophet Moses tells us that the world became a dark and wicked place because it follows a different way than God’s plan (Genesis 6:5; 13:13.) Thus, God called a nation and a people who would be devoted to and set apart for Himself.

Qâdash

The entire world knows how God created and set apart the nation of Israel to be His representatives on the earth. They were to be consecrated to God.

The Hebrew word for consecrated in the Old Testament is qâdash and it also means clean, dedicated, be separate, or sanctify. The Torah commands God’s people to be consecrated unto Him that is why God gave Moses the 10 Commandments to help them be separated from the ways of this world.

You shall have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.
Do not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.
Honor your father and mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Do not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
You shall not bear false witness.
Do not covet.

The last commandment reminds God’s people to be content with what God has given us and helps take our focus off of the world and keep it on God whom we are devoted to. God’s law isn’t punishment for sin; it is preparation to help us avoid sin.

light in the dark

Image by Pixabay

They aren’t suggestions for us to memorize, they are guidelines for God’s people to live by. The people of God aren’t allowed to walk in darkness or to defend it. This is why God separates the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:3-5.)

Jesus said He was the light and His followers would never walk in the darkness (John 8:12.) God’s people aren’t allowed to practice the evil works of this fallen world because we are God’s workmanship created for good works (Ephesians 2:10.)

Works

As God’s people our goals aren’t like the world’s goals because we aren’t created to work that way. We are called to serve God’s purposes.

We aren’t called to fit in with a cursed world. If we are consecrated, we will do the work He called us to.

Obey God
Be the light
Fight evil
Serve others

This spiritual battle isn’t just between God’s people and the world. We must fight the evil within our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21.)

Divided heart

Image by Pixabay

This is why Jesus taught His followers to deny themselves daily, we don’t get to pursue our selfish desires like the world; we were created to serve God and His purposes if we are qâdash!

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