PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 21-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Treat with respect… my holy name; do not perform my service… with contempt.” (Leviticus 22:2,9)
There are a lot of details in this passage that do not apply for Jesus followers.
But as I read this, I sense the Spirit of Jesus speaking to my heart.
The underlying message seems to be, ‘treat me with respect, not with contempt!’
As a Jesus follower I am also called to serve the Lord with respect and seriousness.
We are under the law of Christ, which calls for deep respect for God and people.
In a sense, I only have two laws to follow: to love God and love people.
But these need to be followed as seriously as the old covenant commands were then.
Do I behave as if God were not present, do I ‘say my prayers’ in an empty way?
Do I speak of others with unfairness, do I ignore those who are in need?
Do my service or offerings come from the heart, do I give cheerfully and willingly?
Am I living my life in my own strength, or am I focused on me and my own desires?
A ‘performance review’ with Jesus is not a pass or fail test; Jesus passed that for me.
But it is a good way to check my progress, to learn and grow, to grow in the grace of Jesus.
And it is a good way to discern if I’m losing my way, or losing the fire of my first love.
PRAYER
Lord, search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
“Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites.” This is the key reason why as follower of Jesus I must strive to become more like Jesus – to be holy. As to the special office of priest or minister or even elder – there is a higher standard. Not everyone is called into this position – call it higher or simply special office. I’d rather forget the ‘higher’ connotation and instead see that we all as believers on the way – need to grow in being more like Jesus. I see that the church to needs to practice a standard for those called to be deacon or elder or pastor – it is a practice for the Israelites as it was for the early church – i.e., the calling of Stephen. God’s name must be kept holy – albeit – an office-bearer has to strive to avoid all hypocrisy in their daily living.
Holy to the Lord.
Keep all of His commands and live for Jesus.
He has set me free to serve Him.
His ‘SonShine’ needs to lead me in the way that I need to walk. I need His Light to light my way so that I do not walk in darkness but in the Light that shows me the way. Doing that I can truly live – live for Jesus.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.