Saved and Still Sinners

Haggai 2:10-14: "On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, “If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?”’” Then the priests answered and said, “No.” And Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?” So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.” Then Haggai answered and said, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the Lord, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean."

It is possible as Christians, saved by grace, for the work of our hands to remain defiled. That is what happened to Israel as they were rebuilding the temple with Haggai. Only by confession and consecration, will God receive our work. Only through the cross and sanctifying Spirit will God look past all the self-interest rolled into our work, and accept it as done for Him. The sin around and within us makes us unclean. We sit in darkness unless Christ shines on us. So often we get proud of the light that we reflect. But what do you have that you did not receive from God by grace? We are not the source of light, but only mirrors, and poor ones at that, it turns out.

12/13/09