Which mountain?...

Years ago I was thinking of buying a house. I found one that was on the top of a hill and had a magnificent view into the valley below and down the river towards the sea. The view was awesome and I liked it.
When thinking of real estate they tell you that position is everything, and so being on the right mountain is a distinct advantage.
The same applies to blessing.

What are you talking about, I hear you say.

I was reading...

'For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken. For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling."

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, and to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.' [Hebrews 12: 18 - 24]

So, the question is, which is your mountain?

Do you remember Pentecost? Most remember the Pentecost of Acts 2 but maybe you don't realise Pentecost is a Jewish celebration, celebrating the giving of God's law. Pentecost occurs 50 days after Passover in the Jewish celebration calendar and commemorates the Law being given fifty days after the Passover when the Lamb was taken and its blood applied to the lintel and doorposts, the angel of death came through the land and the firstborn of all were slain, except the houses with the applied blood of the sacrifice, for the angel said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." You remember the story?

Isn't the perfection of the Bible, God's word, amazing? The Passover was followed after fifty days by the giving of the Law. THE Passover, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us all in His death, burial and resurrection was followed by THE Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit. The perfection of it all is just wondrous to me.

Now think about the two Pentecosts. At the first the Law was given and 3000 people died! Check Exodus 32: 28. At the second, the Pentecost recorded in Acts 2, 3000 people were saved. Check Acts 2: 41. Are you amazed by the precision?

2 Corinthians 3: 7 describes the Law as the 'ministry of death engraved on stones' and it certainly is as 3000 people died at its giving. In verse 9 it is described as 'the ministry of condemnation.' Verse 6 speaks of the second Pentecost and contrasts the letter and the Spirit saying that 'the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life' and He certainly does because 3000 people were saved.

Now let me say this; If you are trying to keep God's commandments in order to be blessed you come under Law, you are resident on the mountain of Law, Mount Sinai, and your 'view' is a mountain that cannot be touched, to 'a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to blast of trumpet and the sound of words [whose] sound [is] such that those who [hear beg] that no further word should be be spoken.' Not a good look!

Do you know that many people receive Christ and are saved by grace through faith and having been saved on Mount Zion immediately pack up their bags and move to Mount Sinai and pursue 'life' by trying to keep the Law. Worse still this pattern is taught in our churches every week of the year. Don't get the idea I'm against church but I am definitely very challenged by churches that spout salvation by grace and living by Law. It is lukewarmness and God is pretty clear, He doesn't like it to the point it makes Him sick! Check Revelation 3: 16.

Let me ask you a question. Do you want to be blessed? Make sure then that you reside on the right mountain. Make sure it is Zion, the mountain of the giving of the Spirit of Grace, the mountain of Life, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, the mountain of myriads of angels, the place of our enrolment in the roll of Eternal Life, the place of righteous men made perfect, the mount of JESUS, the mediator of the new covenant, and to sprinkled blood, which is better, once offered for the sins of all, offered and accepted once for all for our atonement and which makes atonement for all those who apply it thereby bringing righteousness, not righteousness from our works, but the righteousness which is of Jesus, under which we can declare in truth, 'I am the righteousness of God in Christ.' We are clothed in His righteousness the moment we receive Him, Jesus Christ is our mediator, our Way, our Truth, our Life.

The Bible is very clear if we reside on the mount of the Spirit, Mount Zion, we will see miracles worked among us. Galatians 3: 5 says so! Often we hear preaching counselling us to pursue the fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5: 22 - 23 when truth is that these things are automatic fruit for those who reside on Mount Zion. You see Mount Zion is also the restored Eden, restored in Christ, and all the trees are available, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. I list them in capitals because they are all Jesus. Jesus resides with you on Mount Zion.
So do you want to be blessed?
Yes?
You must reside on the right mountain.
Listen to this...

'The Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.' [Psalm 128: 5]

Wow!

Which mountain is yours?
The mount of Law, pursuing blessing by your law keeping, or the mount of Grace, receiving favour because of the finished work of Jesus?

Choose Zion.