Deuteronomy 14 YOU BELONG TO GOD As I seek to learn lessons from God and His dealing with His treasured possession in the past, it brings to my remembrance that Christians today also stand out in the world as "a peculiar people, zealous of good works." I have on several occasions seen those who are some of God's people, reacting to the death of a loved one in a way that is most unseemly for a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. There no question that the loss of a loved one brings great grief to us because of the memories of a life shared, and the fact that that person is now gone from us. One we have shared life and love with has gone and a familiar face will be seen no more. Yet in spite of such a great loss, we must remind ourselves when these times come, there shall be a resurrection of the dead. Even though the loss may seem hopeless, when these times come, God is with us. He does not leave nor forsake us. His plans for living also include dying, and the day of our death. We cannot avoid the pain, tears and consequences of death. But we can learn from our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, the way to deal with the death of a loved one with dignity and respect. "Jesus wept" because He knew the feelings of loss others had. He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but could empathize with Martha and Mary because Lazarus was a dear friend of His and a loved brother of theirs.
When one of our own by nature's ties passes away, we will have sorrow. But any physical abuse of our body to display sorrow, or even making cuttings or tattoos as evidence of our devotion and a memorial to the loved one, is inappropriate. Our bodies are the Lord's. We belong to Him. We do not have the right to abuse it. It is wrong to indulge in extreme displays of grief when we know the truth of the matter is our Lord holds the keys of life and death. What He allows is because He knows the future as well as the past. Those who belong to God are to "Pray today, and leave tomorrow, in our loving Savior's hands."
A child of God also needs to remember the fact that we belong to God - body, soul and spirit. Even what seems like a little matter such as what food we eat, has to be considered in the light of the Word of God. Some things are not to be eaten because of the conscience of another person who may be offended if I do. In this day of grace in which we live, we are at liberty to eat "what is set before you, asking no questions." Yet that may not be appropriate in some places because of the culture and conscience of those who live there. Prohibitions were given to the children of Israel in regards to what they ate that were both spiritual and sensible. Many creatures were not to be eaten for the taste and pleasure one received from it, because of the things on which those animals, birds and fish fed. Scavenger beasts, birds and fish were prohibited for both health reasons and the spiritual reason of separation from anything that is unclean. Animals that fed on rapidly growing plants such as grass, were considered clean because they both chewed the cud and had cloven hoofs. But more than just what they ate was what they did not eat. They do not turn to consume their own dung or that of other animals. When the Israelites followed the prohibitions and the commands of God, "none of those diseases" came upon them.
Another lesson I learn from God dealings with the Israelites is that nothing I have to use, can I claim as exclusively mine. Everything we have to use has come to us from God. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." What God gives to us to use has certain qualifications associated with them. A percentage of everything belongs to the service of God for promoting His work through the hands of His servants. The practice of setting aside that which belongs to God first, and then using what we are allowed to have to meet our returning needs, indicates where we have placed our values. To give to God in a reverential way makes the use of finances a holy and righteous matter, rather than a covetous "me first" attitude.
Holiness in regard to burying the dead, and holiness in regard to what we eat, is both spiritual and practical. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." My inward attitude toward God and His blessings to me, are reflected by the way I live and act. What I pass on to further God's work should be considered a privilege in that I am permitted to participate in furthering what is important to God. I need to always put God first and honor Him with reverence and godly fear. May I never presume to take or keep for myself that which belongs to God.
Caring for the helpless and poor should be a part of my service for God. This does not mean that every person who demands money from me, I am obligated to support. There are widows, and there are "widows indeed." There are those who ask for money that "they may consume it upon their lusts." There are those who do not have food to eat and it is obvious to us they have needs which they cannot meet. There are reasonable and sensible ways of caring for the poor. An orderly approach to meeting another person's need does not cause embarrassment to the one who needs our assistance. When the "right hand does not know what the left hand doeth," the character of neither the one who gives or the one who receives is in anyway impugned. What is done for another is done "as to the Lord."
The faith of the people of God works in everyday life. In caring for the sick and afflicted, there needs to be compassion and grace. In meeting the needs of the poor and hungry, there needs to be provision and grace. In deciding what I should do or not do, eat or not eat, there should be common sense and grace. When there is death in the family and sorrow claims our emotions with a strong grip, there needs to be dignity and grace. When giving to the Lord and the furtherance of His work, there needs to be generosity and grace.
The active, vital faith of a child of God, considers what pleases God in every action and decision we make. A good question to ask ourselves is, "Will it be honoring to my Lord if I pursue this path of action? Will the outcome of the course I choose now be to the glory of God, or only to my own satisfaction?" It is not uncommon for one who forgets he or she belongs to God, to promote themselves and their cause, and secretly hope others are put down and humiliated by their actions. Love rejoices when another person is exalted, not when they are abased. Faith is strengthened and active when we are conscious of the fact that I belong to God. Faith can bring us joy when I am confident that what I am doing in all areas of my life, is according to the will and word of God.