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God loves sacred spaces. In fact, wherever, God is, is a sacred space. We say, “God is everywhere.” This is true; but there are times when God’s Spirit can choose to exit a place. God withdraws His Spirit from King Saul. Ezekiel 10 also speaks of a time when God’s people are doing such wicked things in the Temple, that God chooses to withdraw His Spirit/Glory from the Temple.
In ancient times, God instructs the people to make tallit’s (prayer shawls). Before there is a Tent of Meeting, A Tabernacle, or a Temple, God’s people “met” with God in prayer in their private spaces, under their prayer shawls.
When God appears to Moses, in a burning bush, His very presence, makes the ground under and around the bush, holy ground.
There are spaces specifically “called” to be HOLY SPACES. Churches founded upon the Truth that, Jesus is, “the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” as declared by Simon Peter, are meant to be holy spaces. Some buildings are consecrated, set apart, as, “holy unto the Lord.” More than this, believers, whether inside the walls or outside of the walls, are themselves (ourselves) Christ’s Temples…HOLY SPACES!
So, what does this mean for us? It means we treat Holy Spaces as Holy, unto the Lord. God calls for God’s people to, “Be ye holy; for I am Holy.” Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:16, call for believers to reflect God’s character by being "set apart" from the world.
This means people should see a difference in our way of being and the way of being of those, “in/of the world.” Business once trained employees to observe a culture, wherein, those who wanted to advance vocationally, were to, “dress for success.” School systems have a specific “dress code.”
The dress code in churches has changed over the years. Many churches encourage members to, “come as you are.” The reason for this is, Christians do not want people to stay home because they will feel they do not fit in, if they do not have fancy, dressy attire. We really do want people to feel comfortable in God’s House; however, we must never lose sight of the fact, that our church REALLY IS, GOD’S HOUSE. This means it is a HOLY SPACE. Can people wear shorts and jeans to church? Absolutely! However, we must be mindful of any attire that suggests the space is not holy…not consecrated. Can shorts be too short? Yes. Can shirts be cut too low? Yes. This seems to apply more to females than males. This is not about gender bias; although, it is true that there are differences in the physical make-up of men and women. The call, however, is for believers to understand our bodies as Christ's Body and as God's Holy Temples.
Does God care how we are dressed? YES! In Old Testament times, God TELLS ISRAEL HOW TO DRESS…with details! Women were required to have their heads covered, whenever they were in public. Men, women, and children, wore garments that hung below the knees. Even men often wore garments so long, that they had to lift their garments to run and not trip. Adult men and women rarely ran in public; in part, because, in lifting their garments, they exposed their ankles and/or legs. Isaiah 47:2-3 speaks of the shame of uncovering the head, showing the leg or the thigh. Understand, these verses are contextual, applying to circumstances that are Scripturally specific. However, the point is to highlight Israel’s ancient, cultural customs, regarding appropriateness and inappropriateness. WHY? They served a Holy God.
I am GLAD we have moved FAR past those days of specificity! However, we must not lose sight of the fact that God wants us to remember there ARE spaces “called” to be sacred. This means our worship, our conduct, our thoughts, our speech, our attire, our attitudes, our postures, our interactions, are to be HOLY. Why? WE SERVE A HOLY GOD!!
Jesus throws the money changers out of the Temple outer court. Their conduct disrespected His Father’s House. The religious leaders were cheating the people financially. They were charging more than was necessary, for the animal sacrifices and/or failing to accept an animal offered; therefore, making the people purchase another animal. Jesus reminded them, He would not allow them to make His Father’s House, “a den of thieves.” They disrespected that Sacred Space.
If we happen to (intentionally or unintentionally) offend our brothers or sisters, let us go to him/her, in love and “reason together” (Isaiah 1:18).
This is what God says to do. “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over (Matt. 18:15). If they do not receive you, the Bible has further instructions. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” This means you can only govern YOUR behavior. YOU AND I MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE!
Worship in the House of the Lord is about the Godhead. When the acolytes enter with the Light of Christ, this is a Holy, Sacred, and solemn moment. Our behavior should reflect this. The music should be soft and worshipful. Our attention should turn from conversations with one another, to conversations with God, as we prepare our hearts for worship. When our praise is genuine, God inhabits our praises (Psalm 22:3). God sits in the middle of our worship. We are not to sing songs, just because they are to OUR liking. Our praise is like ancient “burnt offerings.” Our praises rise up to God, as a sweet savor. God is pleased with genuine worship. Whether the choir and congregation sing hymns, anthems, spirituals, or contemporary praise songs, we must sing them in holiness of heart. We can and should sing ALL of the kinds of songs that exalt HIS NAME. WE ARE GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE, SINGING TO/ABOUT THE GODHEAD, IN A SACRED SPACE!! Each day is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118:24)! Hallelujah!!!
YOU ARE LOVED!!
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