How can believers today "not leave the sanctuary" in their daily lives? The Original Call: Staying in the Sanctuary “He must not leave the sanctuary, nor desecrate the sanctuary of his God, because the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 21:12) In the Mosaic law, the high priest was commanded to remain inside the Holy Place. The anointing oil marked him as set apart, and stepping outside would cheapen that holy calling. Though the physical sanctuary stood in Jerusalem, its core meaning—living continually before God—carries straight into the New Covenant. The New Covenant Reality: We Are the Sanctuary • “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) • “You also are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22) Because the Spirit now lives within every believer, remaining “in the sanctuary” means maintaining conscious, obedient fellowship with the indwelling Lord everywhere we go. Guarding the Anointing • The high priest’s oil prefigured the Spirit’s seal on us: “He has anointed us, set His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) • We protect that anointing by refusing anything that would grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Practical Ways to “Not Leave” the Sanctuary Abiding in God’s presence is not mystical fog; Scripture gives clear handles: 1. Ongoing Awareness – “I have set the LORD always before me.” (Psalm 16:8) – Whisper thanks, sing a hymn, or simply acknowledge His nearness during ordinary tasks. 2. Continuous Conversation – “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) – Turn drives, queues, and walks into micro-prayer times, keeping the heart dialed toward heaven. 3. Word-Saturated Thinking – “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night.” (Joshua 1:8) – Keep a verse card in your pocket, audio Bible in your earbuds, or Scripture on your lock screen. 4. Holy Living – “Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:15) – Quick confession (1 John 1:9) restores fellowship, ensuring we never step outside the sacred space of obedience. 5. Worship as Lifestyle – “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” (Psalm 34:1) – Let gratitude and praise soundtrack the day—laundry, spreadsheets, commutes included. 6. Fruit-Bearing Service – “Abide in Me…he who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit.” (John 15:4-5) – Serve others, share the gospel, give generously; these acts flow naturally from an abiding heart. 7. Intentional Fellowship – “Let us consider how to spur one another on…not neglecting to meet together.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) – Gather with believers who remind you who you are—a walking sanctuary of the living God. Daily Rhythms to Stay Inside Morning: Present yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Midday: Pause for a two-minute heart check—“LORD, am I still aware of You?” Evening: Review the day with Him, celebrate victories, confess slips, rest in grace. Living Continually Before the LORD The high priest’s feet never crossed the sanctuary threshold because the oil marked him as God’s own. Believers share a higher privilege: the Spirit of glory resides within. By cultivating ongoing awareness, obedience, worship, and fellowship, we carry the sanctuary into classrooms, boardrooms, kitchens, and neighborhoods—never stepping outside the holy presence that defines us. |
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