Why is it important to maintain purity in our spiritual offerings to God? Exodus 27:20—Pure Oil, Continual Light “And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.” What the Verse Shows at First Glance • God Himself commands the offering. • The oil must be pure—free from sediment, dilution, or mixture. • The result is a steady, unfailing flame in His sanctuary. Why Purity Matters to God • God’s nature is holy. Leviticus 11:44: “For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy.” • Impure offerings dishonor Him. Malachi 1:8 exposes blemished sacrifices as an insult. • Purity allows fellowship. Psalm 24:3–4 says only “he who has clean hands and a pure heart” may stand in His holy place. • Spiritual integrity keeps our service effective. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 compares pure vessels to honorable instruments ready for every good work. The Lamp as a Picture of Our Witness • Pure oil → clear flame. Impure oil → smoke and sputter. • Jesus calls us “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16). Any mixture of sin or hypocrisy clouds that light. • Philippians 2:15 urges us to “shine as lights in the world” by being “blameless and pure.” Our Spiritual Offerings Today • Worship—Hebrews 13:15 speaks of “a sacrifice of praise.” • Prayer—Psalm 141:2 likens prayer to incense; contaminated motives distort the aroma. • Service—Romans 12:1 calls our bodies “a living sacrifice,” demanding wholehearted devotion. • Giving—Acts 5 contrasts pure generosity (Barnabas) with impure pretense (Ananias and Sapphira). How to Guard Purity in Practice 1. Daily confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). 2. Consistent intake of Scripture, which cleanses (John 17:17). 3. Spirit-led self-examination (Psalm 139:23-24). 4. Accountability within the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25). 5. Avoiding spiritual mixtures—syncretism, worldly motives, or hidden sin (James 4:4, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). The Encouraging Promise • God supplies the very purity He requires. Zechariah 4:6-12 shows the golden lampstand fed by a continuous flow of oil symbolizing the Spirit. • Titus 2:14: Christ “gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession.” • As we yield, the Spirit refines, and our offerings rise before the Lord in the same bright, unflickering way the tabernacle lamps once did. |
    |