a. His holy name
b. His holy convocations
c. His holy offering
d. His holy tithe
e. His holy temple
Let us examine and try to defend each charge individually:
1. Profaning the Holy Name of the Lord
Thus says the word of the Lord to the prophet Ezekiel; "Son of man, say to her: 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.' The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things;
The name of the Lord is one of the holy things of God the church - the Israel of God has profaned. For thus says the Lord; “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," Says the LORD of hosts. But you profane it, in that you say, ' The table of the LORD is defiled; and its fruit, its food, is contemptible.'
You also say, ' Oh, what weariness!' And you sneer at it," Says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" Says the LORD! But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished --- For I am a great King," Says the LORD of hosts," And My name is to be feared among the nations (Malachi 1: 11-14).
The way we present ourselves before the Lord, and the company of those with whom we present ourselves before the Lord can tantamount to profanity if not done as ordained. For thus says the Lord; “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised your name?'
“You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ' In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, ' The table of the LORD is contemptible.' And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts: but now entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, Will He accepts you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts: who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," Says the LORD of hosts, nor will I accept an offering from your hands (Malachi 1:6-10).
Our offering today is not that of animal sacrifices with food and drinks, but rather our bodies. For we have been admonished saying; “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
And the only way we can present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God is according to the scripture; "And you shall take the ram of the consecration and boil its flesh in the holy place. Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy” (Exodus 29:31-33).
Therefore, in order for us to offer our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God we have to eat of those things with which the atonement was made, which is the body and blood of Jesus Christ, represented by the unleavened bread and the wine.
An outsider shall not eat of them, because they are holy: the command therefore is; “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God as God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore " Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty"(2Corinthians 6: 11-18)
The name of the Lord is being profaned when it is associated with pagan or unholy festivals, and when one fails to ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name, by failing to depart from iniquity. For it is written; "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (Timothy 2:19).
One fails to give honor and glory to the Lord when they dishonor and disregard His Sabbaths, because every Festival which the LORD has ordained gives glory and honor to His name, for thus He says; “Observe My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).
It is inconceivable to imagine how people who profess to be Christians can exert so much effort, energy, money, planning, and making every effort to perpetuate and keep alive such events as Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, New Year etc. Events which do not have God’s stamp of approval like those which says; “These are the Lord’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23:4).
Why do people who profess to be Christians know very little or absolutely nothing concerning these festivals? And why do others who are knowledgeable of them, demonstrate so much contempt and disregard to them? And at the same time paying so much attention to the festivals established by the customs and traditions of men?
It is no wonder Jesus said; “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites: as it is written: “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are from Me. They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men,” Then Jesus said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions” (Mark 7:6-9)!
So let us be candid with ourselves, is the church guilty of profaning the Holy name of the Lord? What is your verdict? Guilty or not guilty! Let the word of God be the judge, for thus says the Lord; “And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him --- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12:47-48).
To be continued
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