Good morning Everyone! Leviticus chapter 14.
We read about the regulations in dealing with that which is a defiled. Something that was created has the potential to become defiled. The goal is to restore it to its original created purpose. The steps are:
- Isolation – so that nothing else becomes contaminated.
- Restored – during the isolation process the goal is that it will become restored. It's the purification process where something is made holy again.
- Used again as its original purpose. If restored then it can be used as its original created purpose. If not restored, then at some point it is permanently removed so that other things are not contaminated.
I can't help but think about Christians and how all of us are created for a God given purpose. The same steps apply to us as they did the contaminated items in Leviticus 14.
- Created for God's purpose.
- Defiled. Eventually sin can seep into our lives. I Corinthians 15:33. If not dealt with it can grow and contaminate our whole body. Eventually we become ineffective in ministry. We even contaminate the ministry itself. If we do not deal with our sin issue then steps must be taken to help restore us. Matthew 18:15-17.
- Isolation. Here's the area that Christians struggle with. If we lovingly confront someone with the goal of restoring them and they refuse to listen to us, then we have to take the step of isolation. It's important for them and for the ministry. We are to remove the person who is contaminated and not walking with the Lord and lovingly help restore them where God can again use them as before. Isolation is not to be interpreted as rejection. It still involves the body of Christ surrounding a person with love and encouragement. If the individual is open to the body of Christ and restoration, and works through their sin area, then they are again returned to ministry. Once restored they are able to operate in the manner they were created for. Galatians 6:1-2.
If however they refuse to repent and be restored, sadly they are not to be put back into the place of ministry. There has to be repentance, cleansing, restoration, or the ministry will be contaminated. Others May also compromise.
- God's original purpose. A person restored, and operating again under the Holy Spirit can accomplish much for the Lord.
We all must be careful where we tread with our thoughts and our actions.
Have a blessed day!!!
Mark 1:40-45 is the passage that I’m reflecting on today.
And a leper came to Him, imploring Him, and kneeling said to Him, “If You will, You can make me clean.” Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to Him from every quarter.
I was thinking about how so many people knew that Jesus could heal them. They had the faith that He could change their situations and transform their lives. I find it interesting that when Jesus spoke to a man who He healed of leprosy, Jesus told him not to tell others, but the man didn’t follow those instructions. He told people and the news spread so much that Jesus had to stay in desolate places. This man didn’t keep quiet even when Jesus told him to do so. This reminds me that it’s important to know when to speak and when not to speak. Our tongues are powerful and we need to follow God’s direction on how to use them. While this healed leper was clearly told not to share about the miracle Jesus did for him, we on the other hand have been instructed to share the good news about Jesus. How are we doing with that? Do I have the same zeal that this healed leper had to tell others about what Jesus has done in my life?
Will be back for a specific comment to this chapter but calling on ALL prayer warriors right now…
Please pray for NAOMI GRACE MOLLON a coworkers 2 year old daughter found unresponsive in a hot tub yesterday evening. Currently in a coma, not breathing on her own.
Lord bring strength to Naomi and her whole family. Surround them with your love. Thy will be done.
So sorry Sarah, prayers for Naomi Grace Mollon and her family
PB your words are the truth …
Defiled. Eventually sin can seep into our lives. I Corinthians 15:33. If not dealt with it can grow and contaminate our whole body.
I thought of this verse
Matthew 12:45
Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”