Topic: For Sons And Strangers [Thursday July 6, 2017]
Text: Numbers 15:22-29
Key Verse: “Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them” (Numbers 15:29).
A discussion with an average Christian today about what grace means will leave you startled as to how modern Christianity has misrepresented the grace of God. Most people who profess religion believe God’s grace excludes them from the dos and don’ts of life. They take the grace of God as a license to continue a life of sin.
On the contrary, God, whether in the Old Testament or in the New, has never given any exception to righteous living. The standard He expected of sons, he also expected of strangers. Some self-styled believers live as if certain biblical principles and doctrines do not apply to them. There are others who think that if they do not believe in the existence of God, they may be exonerated from His judgments at the end of life. Ignorance, whether deliberate or sincere, is never an excuse to break any law. Bible truths are universal and apply to everyone, regardless of race, colour or creed. What commandments are good for sons were also good for strangers in Moses’ law. The same standard that is required of sons is likewise required of strangers.
This is because there is only one heaven and only one hell. One standard of holiness is required to enter into heaven, no matter the time or dispensation we are in. But who were the ‘strangers’ the law was referring to? They are the Gentiles who would later become partakers of God’s grace in the new covenant. Oh the faithfulness and the loving kindness of God! Do you feel like a stranger to salvation and the grace of God? He has provided a conversion process through which strangers are made sons. This began at Calvary, when Jesus died. Be wise and take advantage of God’s provision, and accept His prescription, in order to gain eternal life.
Thought for the day: God’s grace that begets salvation is available to all.
Bible Reading in one Year: Genesis 17-20
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
