 |
Clean and Unclean |
Dear Brethren,
Why did God designate some animals as
"clean," and others as "unclean?" One reason is that God did not create all animals as
food for humans - only the clean animals may be eaten. Unclean
animals are not to be eaten. Only clean animals could be used
as sacrifices to God. Most importantly, it is God's intention
that His people be set apart as a holy people who are special to
Him. Unclean animals defile a person (Leviticus 11:43). God
says that we are to be a people sanctified and set apart
from others. "I am the Lord your God: you shall therefore
sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy:
neither shall you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping
thing that creeps upon the earth. For I am the Lord that
brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God:
you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
(Leviticus 11:44-45)
The clean and unclean animals are listed in Leviticus 11 and
Deuteronomy 14. God made animals clean and unclean from the
very beginning. Even before the flood of Noah's day, the
designation was clear. God told Noah to bring into the ark of
every clean animal seven pairs, but of those
animals which were not clean only two pairs (Genesis 7:2).
Again, the reasons for preserving more clean animals was that
they were to be used for food and sacrifices. Please realize
that only clean animals were used in sacrifices - and this was
hundreds and hundreds of years before Leviticus and Deuteronomy
were written. "Noah built an altar unto the Lord; and took
of every clean animal, and of every
clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
(Genesis 8:20)
The meaning of clean and unclean for the people of God today is
even more profound. Not only are we to recognize that God
intends for us to make the physical distinction between clean
and unclean meats, but He especially intends that we make the
spiritual distinction between holiness and
filthiness. As members of the New Testament Church of God, we
are directed by Jesus Christ to cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1)
If we look closely, we can see the deeper spiritual implications
in clean and unclean laws as given in Deuteronomy, just before
the children of Israel took possession of the promised land.
"You are an
holy people unto the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you
to be a special people unto Himself, above all the nations that
are upon the earth. You shall not eat any abominable thing."
(Deuteronomy14:2-3)
God is reproducing Himself. Now is the time for us to learn to
discern the difference between those things that are spiritually
clean, and those things which are spiritually unclean." They
shall teach my people the difference between the holy and
profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the
clean." (Ezekiel 44:23)
How different are we from the world? The better the environment
we place ourselves in, the less we are exposed to wrong
influences. Paul said, "Be not
deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." (1
Corinthians 15:33) Those in the world who do not appreciate the
goodness of God's way of life can influence us in a wrong way,
if we are not careful. Close friendships with those who
habitually violate Godly principles can pull us down - even to
their level.Do we think we can rub shoulders with the
unconverted and remain unaffected?" There is a generation
that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from
their filthiness." (Proverbs 30:12)
How do we, as Christians, turn the situation
around so that our lives reflect the true way of life? How do
we advance the cause of the Gospel and promote the right way of
Life? The clear command is for us to be lights to the world,
and not allow the world to pull us down to its level. Our very
actions must promote the Gospel - not
indicate that we are ashamed of our faith. Jesus Christ said, "Whosoever
therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this
adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of
man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of his Father with
the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)
Paul understood that it was
impossible to completely avoid those who sin as a way of life."I
wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with
the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must
ye needs go out of the world." (1 Corinthians 5:9-10)
Paul gave these instructions for us so that we do not become too
involved with those who would be spiritually detrimental to us:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion [fellowship] hath light with darkness?And what
concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?And what agreement hath the temple
of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as
God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I
will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2
Corinthians 6:14-16)
God's clear instruction to us is to keep our distance when it
comes to the degree of association we have with those who are
not a part of the body of Christ. We are not to "enter their
world," and they cannot enter our world - unless they are called
by the Father. In a spiritual sense, we are to guard our minds
and keep our distance, because there is a clear and present
danger to us when we interact on their level. "Discretion
shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee."
(Proverbs 2:11) Business and social interaction is okay to the
extent that we fully uphold God's Truth in all that we do. When
friends in the world ask us to meet them half-way by "giving a
little," and they agree to give a little, too, it is a trap!
Certainly, it seems reasonable to them - but it is not
acceptable for us. God says we must continually uphold His
highest standard. "Be ye holy, [set apart] for I
am holy," God says.
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be you
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a
Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith
the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the
fear of God." (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1)
God's laws of clean and unclean meats are among the best kept
commands of Church people. But, let's not neglect the deeper
spiritual intent of God's law. …do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
***
| Sermon: |
"Clean and Unclean" |
 |
 |
|
