1 Corinthians 6:8 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. NIV
Sanctity is defined as sacred – when we say the sanctity of marriage, we mean the sacredness of the union; it isn’t called holy matrimony for nothing. The marriage vow between a man and a woman is sacred and to be kept at all cost.
The armies of ancient Israel made a vow with the people of Gibeon a neighboring nation that was slated for complete destruction. The Gibeonites had cleverly tricked Israel into making a covenant of peace; and when it dawned on Israel that they’d been duped, they kept the covenant because they feared what would happen to them if the broke it (cf Joshua 9.19ff). In those days an oath was an oath, and to break it meant big trouble. The Church in Corinth (see above) didn’t understand this fully.
Nowadays, we call it commitment but it’s the same thing. The goal of the church today is sanctity – the sacredness of togetherness – and this all upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Modern assemblies ought to celebrate the sanctity of fellowship, which provides for sanctuary – the safest place where others are accepted, cared for, and nurtured to be together, and stay together in Christ. On this earth, in all human relationships, there ought to be none more sacred than that of a fellow believer.
I must learn to love and to trust more than I do. That doesn’t mean running around willy-nilly, but it does mean cutting people slack as we build relationships together. And I mean those in the church. I must help protect the sanctity of the church and celebrate the sacredness of togetherness by being present and by serving the needs of others without the expectation of payback. I must always remember when and from where my rewards come…
Father in Heaven,
Your Church is a sacred sanctuary where people are helped and taught how to view each other in Christ Jesus, and to love each other as He loves us. May I be part of the solution I pray, in His Name, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment