For strangers have come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’s house. Jeremiah 51:51
The sanctuary of the Lord’s house is a place of purity and holiness. Here, the prophet laments that the house of the Lord will be trampled by unbelieving Gentiles who defile the temple of the Lord.
The house of the Lord is a sanctuary for priests. And as believers, we are called to be priests before the Lord. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). As a chosen generation and a royal priesthood, we have the responsibility to preserve the purity of the church, which is the house of God.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 5:11 not to keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; not even to eat with such a person. The underlying principle behind Paul’s words of caution is that of preserving the purity of the church so as to sustain the power and anointing of God in the house. “For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you” (Deut. 23:14).
On one hand, God loves every sinner. Yet, He loves us too much to let us remain the same. God expects and demands purity and sanctification among His people. In the last days, there will be perilous times. In those days, “men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power”
2 Tim. 3:1-5). Therefore, let us not live behind the guise of religiosity without the proof of a godly life. As Paul himself exhorted the Corinthian church to examine themselves regarding their right to eat at the Lord’s Table, so must we (1 Cor. 11:27-29).
God holds us accountable for the lack of purity in the house of God. His warning to the seven churches in the book of Revelation again reiterates His expectations for purity in the camp and in the House of God. The Church as the Bride of Christ should be sanctified completely; and preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 5:23).
The sanctuary of the Lord’s house is a place of purity and holiness. Here, the prophet laments that the house of the Lord will be trampled by unbelieving Gentiles who defile the temple of the Lord.
The house of the Lord is a sanctuary for priests. And as believers, we are called to be priests before the Lord. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). As a chosen generation and a royal priesthood, we have the responsibility to preserve the purity of the church, which is the house of God.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 5:11 not to keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; not even to eat with such a person. The underlying principle behind Paul’s words of caution is that of preserving the purity of the church so as to sustain the power and anointing of God in the house. “For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you” (Deut. 23:14).
On one hand, God loves every sinner. Yet, He loves us too much to let us remain the same. God expects and demands purity and sanctification among His people. In the last days, there will be perilous times. In those days, “men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power”
2 Tim. 3:1-5). Therefore, let us not live behind the guise of religiosity without the proof of a godly life. As Paul himself exhorted the Corinthian church to examine themselves regarding their right to eat at the Lord’s Table, so must we (1 Cor. 11:27-29).
God holds us accountable for the lack of purity in the house of God. His warning to the seven churches in the book of Revelation again reiterates His expectations for purity in the camp and in the House of God. The Church as the Bride of Christ should be sanctified completely; and preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 5:23).
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