Preparing to Meet with the Lord

New Testament Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

Questions for Further Reflection:

If God first redeemed Israel and then gave them His law, what type of covenant were they under, a covenant of works or a covenant of grace? Is the New Covenant a covenant of works or a covenant of grace? So, are we still called to live holy lives today?

In light of the above, is our holy living (good works) to be done to gain our salvation, or as gratitude for our salvation?

At times we have spoken about our worship service taking place at the heavenly Mt. Zion (Hebrews 12:18ff.). So, if Israel had to prepare to come into the presence of the Lord upon Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:10ff.), should we not prepare ourselves for coming into the presence of the Lord each Lord's Day?

Another way of looking at this passage would be that their time of consecration was a preparation for hearing the Word of the Lord (the giving of the law in Ch. 20). So, how should we be preparing ourselves to hear the Word of the Lord? Would the opportunity to gather for prayer before the service be a good way to prepare for the hearing of the Word? What other ways should you be preparing to come before the Lord and hear His Word?

Priests offered sacrifices to the Lord. So, how are we to be a kingdom of priests today? Do we have any sacrifices that we are to make to the Lord? See Hebrews 13:15 and Romans 12:1.