Come to God

Synopsis     Deuteronomy 12:3-11         2/13/2018

Moses commanded the children of Israel to destroy the idols and other symbols of worship from the land as they entered. These symbols, which were distributed throughout the land, were to be utterly destroyed.

He directed the people to worship God only in the place where the tabernacle resided. This place, he promised, the Lord would show them as they entered the land.

One Community, One place, One Priesthood, One Faith

With God, individual relationship isn’t the same as communal relationship. From the beginning the scriptures make it clear that individuals can have relationship with the one, true, God – even apart from the promise or the covenant of Abraham.

Enoch had relationship with God. Melchizedek had relationship with God. Job had relationship with God. Even Balaam had relationship with God.

As individuals, God might meet us anywhere. He met Abraham in Haran. He met Moses on Mount Zion. He met Balaam in Ammon. Jesus met the woman at the well – where she was drawing water. God is willing to come to the individual.

We Come to God

For the community, it’s different. In Community, we come to God.

It was always His way. God created for community. Community is the achievement. He is the cause and substance of authentic community. The community has identity and persistence and purpose and meaning only in God. When we fall away, disassociate, but then repent, he welcomes us back.

This is God’s project. The Community. The Authentic Community.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8