Holy and Profane

            It should come as no surprise to anyone that God is offended and angered by our sin.  All throughout history, there has been a tension within us to be the kind of people He created us to be or to try and make it on our own.  Needless to say, we all “thumb our noses” at God and try it to do things our way.  How does it make you feel when someone you’re trying to help does that to you?  Can we blame God for getting so emotional about sin and doing something about it?

            God created us to be holy (set apart for a special purpose; different; His own possession) because He is holy (unique; special; to be adored and revered - 1 Peter 1:15-16).  In other words, we were created to be like Him (Ephesians 4:24) in all that we do.  However, when we go our own way, we profane (defile; show contempt or irreverence for; use in a vulgar way) what God has created.  And in so doing, we profane Him (show no respect; make Him to be unimportant; despise Him).  Can you now see why God reacts to our sin the way He does?

            God tried to teach this all throughout the Bible.  By ordaining the articles of the Tabernacle and not allowing them to be touched, He was teaching Israel the distinction between the holy and the profane.  By declaring some animals clean and some unclean, He was showing the difference between the holy and the profane.  By demanding that His people keep their distance from their idolatrous neighbors, God was making a distinction between the holy and the profane.  And when anyone disregarded these specifications, God dealt with them in a very harsh way in order to remind them of the importance to be holy.

            So, how do you think God feels about your sin?  Will He be ok with it in the end?  Will He understand that you just NEED this right now?  After all, you’re an nice guy / gal; you’re in love (and isn’t that a beautiful thing?  Why would God do anything drastic to such a congenial person?  Could He be so mean; so unloving?

            If you read the Bible and truly listen to God speak, you can come to no other conclusion: sin is to have no place in your life - NONE.  You must “murder” sin (Romans 8:13) in order to live – all of it.  There can be no other conclusion; no other result will be acceptable.

            So decide now to live a holy life.  Jesus says to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).  You must truly set yourself apart to show glory to God in all that you do.  This, and only this, will enable you to draw near to Him and receive the strength you need to get rid of the sin that He hates so much.

Doug