articlesforchristians

When Jesus died the curtail separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn into. Today our high priest is Jesus.

• Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The throne of grace is similar to the mercy seat that was built on the Ark of the Covenant. We are now all called to be part of the royal priesthood.

• 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

That means there is no need for the priest like Israel had before Jesus came. However, that does not mean that God is any less Holy. God still says for us to be Holy for he is Holy.

•  1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
• Leviticus 11:44-45 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
• Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.

Peter quotes from the Old Testament when he writes “Be ye Holy”. Peter explains that we are to be Holy in all manner of conversation.

• All manner of Conversation is a phrase.
  • ἀναστροφή anastrophḗ, an-as-trof-ay’; from G390; behavior:—conversation.
  • STRONGS G391: ἀναστροφή, -ῆς, ἡ, (from the passive ἀναστρέφομαι, see the preceding word), properly, ‘walk,’ i. e. manner of life, behavior, conduct (German Lebenswandel): Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 4:22; 1 Timothy 4:12; James 3:13; 1 Peter 1:15, 18; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:1f, 16; 2 Peter 2:7; plural ἅγιαιἀναστροφαί the ways in which holy living shows itself, 2 Peter 3:11. Hence, life in so far as it is comprised in conduct, Hebrews 13:7. 
  • Basically, it means in everything that you do, be Holy.
• Holy
  • ἅγιος hágios, hag’-ee-os; from ἅγος hágos (an awful thing) (compare G53, H2282); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

We all of this in mind think about

• how you act on a daily basis.
• how you are dressing.
• how you are talking to others.
• how you are treating others.
• what you are spending your time doing.

1 Peter 4:17-18 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

1 Corinthians 11:30-32 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Now is the time to make corrections. Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to judge ourselves before God has to step in and so to speak clean house with a whip. Remember Jesus made a whip and cleaned house while he was on earth.

• John 2:15-16  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
• Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Today we normally don’t allow buying and selling in the House of God. However, many people made the word of God into nothing more than merchandise. Paul talked about this in his writings as he was explaining that his group and him were not like the others.

• 2 Corinthians 2:17 (amp) For we are not like many, [acting like merchants] peddling God’s word [shortchanging and adulterating God’s message]; but from pure [uncompromised] motives, as [commissioned and sent] from God, we speak [His message] in Christ in the sight of God.

When you are acting more like a merchant than a messenger of God, you only teach, preach, or focus on what brings in the crowd and you ignore the rest (holiness, obedience, etc.). You often compromise the true and allow unholy things to come into the Church and lives. If you are guilty of this, repent.