Plain to See

In Deuteronomy 27:1-8, Moses calls the people of Israel to erect stones as they enter Canaan. The stones are to be plastered and then the Law of God is to be written on the stones. This writing is meant to be a memorial that is plain to see. Anyone who comes and reads the words or sees the stones can plainly see the standard of God’s people.

While the call seems a bit strange in our minds, it is a reminder of what you and I are in this world. We are a declaration to the world that God is moving and shaping mankind. As children of God, we are called to live distinctive, noticeable lives for God in this world. Just take a look at some of the ways you and I write the Law of God on our lives so that it is plain to see in the world.

Matthew 5:16 declares that you are light. Your deeds are done in plain sight of the people around you so that they may see and praise God. Jesus calls us to live our lives for God in such a way that people notice. He calls us salt and light. We influence the taste and the sight of the world as we share the grace and transformation that Jesus promises. We do not blend in with society or fit in with the standards of the world. We invade the culture with the heart and call of God.

Paul echoes the words of Jesus as he writes to the church in Thessalonica. In 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Paul tells us that we are children of light. We shine in the darkness of this world. We do not act in the cover of darkness. We do not hide our allegiance or our lifestyles from the world. We boldly live our beliefs for all to see. Christians cannot hide behind or within the world. We are called to take a stand and shine with the light of Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Paul changes the image but keeps the spirit of the message. He tells the church in Corinth that they are a letter, written on the heart, that proclaims the presence of Jesus to the world. This letter is intended for all to read. Paul reminds us that we live out the life of a disciple in such a way that the whole world can read our story. We live lives of transparency. Not confident in our own strength, but as men and women who struggle with sin, but stand in the forgiveness provided by God. It is a powerful message. We are not perfectly living out the will of God, but can stand perfectly within the love of Christ. We can show the world what it means to rely on God for all we need.

In Galatians 6 Paul points to his own handwriting and the large letters he uses to write to the Galatians. He points to the need for God’s people to be large letters as they live life. Just before this statement, Paul encourages those who have been taught to become teachers. To live large lives in the world. Teaching others how to live with Jesus.

As you can see, the memorial stones of Deuteronomy 27 prepare us to see how living with God is a declaration to the world. You and I are called to embed the will of Godin our lives in such a way that we become a memorial in the world. We show the world the heart of God in lives lived boldly. We make the presence of God plain to see.