How can believers ensure they "keep charge of My sanctuary" in modern contexts? The Call to Keep Charge “ ‘The Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok… shall come near to Me to minister before Me; they shall stand before Me to offer Me the fat and the blood,’ declares the Lord GOD. ‘They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister to Me; they shall keep My charge.’ ” (Ezekiel 44:15-16) God’s charge was clear: protect the holiness of His dwelling, serve according to His instruction, and let nothing profane the space set apart for His glory. How does that translate today? Seeing the Sanctuary in Today’s Terms • Christ is the ultimate Sanctuary (John 2:21). • The gathered church is “God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9-17). • Each believer’s body is “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Keeping charge now touches all three arenas—Christ-centered faith, corporate worship, and personal life. Guarding the Gospel at the Center • Hold fast to “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). • Refuse doctrines that add to or subtract from Scripture (Galatians 1:8-9). • Proclaim Christ crucified and risen as the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12). When Christ’s finished work remains central, the sanctuary stays undefiled. Cultivating Reverent Corporate Worship • Approach gatherings mindful that “where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I” (Matthew 18:20). • Structure services to exalt God’s Word—read it, preach it, sing it (1 Timothy 4:13; Colossians 3:16). • Guard the Lord’s Table—self-examination, unity, and discernment (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). • Maintain order and edification, not chaos or showmanship (1 Corinthians 14:26-33, 40). A congregation that prizes reverence keeps charge of the sanctuary entrusted to them. Living Holy in Everyday Spaces • Present your bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). • Flee sexual immorality; glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). • Guard the gateways—eyes, ears, and thoughts—so the inner temple remains pure (Psalm 101:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5). • Practice daily confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). Personal holiness honors the God who dwells within. Stewarding Resources and Responsibilities • Use time, talents, and treasures for kingdom purposes (1 Peter 4:10; Matthew 6:19-21). • Care for church property and finances with transparency (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). • Support leaders who labor in Word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Faithful stewardship keeps the sanctuary well-supplied for ministry. Protecting the Covenant Community • Confront unrepentant sin for restoration (Matthew 18:15-17). • Encourage one another daily so none are “hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). • Welcome the repentant and the seeking with grace, yet draw clear lines against willful rebellion (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). Healthy discipline and mutual care preserve the church’s witness. Keeping Watch Until He Comes • “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). • Await the return of the true High Priest who will fill the earth with His glory (Hebrews 9:28; Habakkuk 2:14). Staying vigilant today readies us to hand the sanctuary to the next generation—uncompromised, radiant, and devoted to the Lord alone. |
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