Called to Serve

Called to Serve

And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, when he comes forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus says the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Exodus 8:20

God’s call was clear, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Israel was to leave Egypt and serve God. But Pharaoh did not easily release his iron grasp upon God’s people. He dealt deceitfully with Israel as the devil does with us. Study his compromises.

1. “Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land” (Exodus 8:25).
2. “Only ye shall not go very far away” (verse 28).
3. “Go now you that are men” (Exodus 10:11).
4. “Go ye, serve the Lord; let your flocks and your herds be stayed” (verse 24).
5. Go, serve the Lord, as ye have said” (exodus 12:31).

“IN THE LAND” God called Israel to get out of Egypt just as He has called us to get out of Babylon. “Come out of her, my people.” Jesus came to save us, not in our sins, but from our sins. If Jesus does not save us from our sins, He does not save us at all. There is no such thing as a partial salvation. Sin is a disease germ that kills – if you do not kill it, it kills you. You must get out of sin and sin must get out of you.

“I WILL LET YOU GO, . . . ONLY YOU SHALL NOT GO VER FAR AWAY.” See how the devil would have us linger near Egypt; near enough to see the sights, hear the sounds, and breathe the tainted atmosphere; near enough to be contaminated, tempted, and drawn back into the vortex of iniquity; back into slavery to a tyrant who would rule us, and ruin us, body, mind, and soul. Satan says to many who have heard Christ’s call: “All right go serve Christ – only don’t go very far away; do not get too careful about the little things. Do not go too far in our religion.” Ah! That’s the wisdom of the serpent who likes to be near enough to his prey to charm it, and then to draw the helpless thing into the jaws of death. O flee from the temper while you can. Flee from sin. Go! Serve the Lord as He has said.