Scripture Text: Malachi 1:6
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
Malachi 1:6
God knew the stubbornness of His people, especially the unrighteous ones (priests) in-charge to guard the sanctuary of the Lord, for what they did are unpleasing offerings and sacrifices. They totally insulted and dishonored the holiness of God! This is why the sovereign God rebuked subjected them to the divine disciplinary action for them to repent and transform to be righteous in the eyes of God.
Sometimes people are neglecting their duty, responsibility, and obligation to God, to church, to family, and to people.
God sees and knows our hearts; nothing is hidden from Him. The primary duty of Christians is to ask help from the Holy Spirit (24/7) to guard the heart from defilement. So that when we worship God – whether we are praying, singing praises, giving tithes and offerings, and hearing and studying God's words – see to it that our hearts are pure and free from impurities and contaminants. And, whatever we do (24/7), we must do our best for the glory of God.
God sent His Son Jesus Christ and offered as perfect and living sacrifice to show His love, grace, mercy, and power to the world. Our Lord Jesus modeled Himself as Perfect Priest. He made a perfect pattern on how a real priest must do their duty and function to please and honor God.
Our Lord Jesus showed His true obedience and submission to God the Father.
He showed true humility when He served His people (until His last breath on the cross).
Jesus is the only High/Perfect Priest who mediate between God and people.
Faithful followers of Jesus must also do what Christ did as their High Priest. He chose us and transformed our hearts, and gave us a privilege to do the duty and function of being His royal priests and we need to value it. As King's priest, our top priority is to do what is pleasing, honorable, and acceptable to our God, and to do good to others through the help of the Holy Spirit.
Reflect
How can we honor Jesus if our hearts are corrupted?
How can we give true worship if our hearts have many idols?
How can we share and proclaim the gospel if our hearts are far from the will of Holy Spirit?
Remember
Honoring God is a mark of genuine Christian and Jesus commanded us to honor and obey Him in all seasons of our lives.
Read
Exodus 20:12, 4:22; Hosea 11:1; Luke 6:46; Malachi 1:8; Leviticus 22:17-25; Deuteronomy 15:21, 17:1; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:31
Pray
Dear God, thank You for correcting and rebuking me for the shortcomings I've done today. I ask the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to guard my heart from impurities and guide me always to not neglect my duty, responsibility and obligation to God, to the church, and to the people, in Jesus' name. Amen!
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