In Exodus 29:37 and 30:29, we read that anything which touches the altar of God becomes holy. Simply coming in contact with the sacred surface is enough to make a person or an offering Holy before the Lord.
So my question is: Can the same thing happen today - with us? We don't use the Tabernacle or a sacrificial altar anymore, but Peter tells us that we are to be holy, as Christ is holy. Is this because we have come into contact with Christ? I would say yes. Does it also mean that we can transfer holiness in some way to those we come in contact with? Possibly, because with Christ in us, when someone sees us, it is like seeing Christ. And when someone touches us, in a way, it can be like touching Christ.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I believe the Bible tells us we are holy because we are a temple of God. 1 Corinthians 3:17, "for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." And in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" And in 1 Peter 2:9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people..."
I believe we are holy because we have been washed by the blood of Christ and made the temple of God by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we are made holy by the grace of God. I do not believe contact with others will impart holiness to them. They must obtain holiness through the washing and regeneration of Christ's blood and through their own personal relationship with Him.
Rob - I agree that non-Christans cannot become "holy" simply by touching us. I was talking on a metephorical level - basically saying that since we are holy - and since Christ is in us - we have the responsibility to share that with others - so that they, too, can become holy disciples of Christ (in the way that you described). So while holiness may not be immediately contagious - it can - and should be - spread by Christians.
Post a Comment