THE CONDUCT OF PRIESTS IS IMPORTANT. Leviticus 21 There are certain things in life over which we have no control. We do not choose to be born into a specific family. The reason for our connection to a particular family is not up to us, but to the One who gives life—and makes no mistakes. It is by God's grace alone that we hear the Gospel. It is through the work of God's Spirit that we are convicted of sin and brought to repentance. It is through Christ's sacrifice that we can respond in faith to His grace, and we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and adopted as children of God. Every child of God is a priest by birth—whether a newborn in Christ or someone who has grown and offers spiritual sacrifices to the Lord publicly. Both are priests. Neither becomes one through self-effort.
In a Christian's life, just like that of the Old Testament priest, a relationship has been established with God. He is the one who initiates this relationship. It was secured for the family of Aaron, and it now extends to those who are in Christ. "Once in Christ, in Christ forever; thus the eternal covenant stands." The relationship itself is settled; however, the privileges and enjoyment of that relationship are another matter.
Character and conduct were crucial for a priest in public office. Their sanctity was not meant to make them strange or abnormal but to align with their role as a representative of God to the people and the people to God. They were expected to lead lives daily that matched their calling. Holiness is the highest form of faithfulness. A priest was to maintain a holy life even after marriage because, in marriage, they reflected divine order. Prostitution represents the ultimate promiscuity, and a priest was forbidden from marrying certain individuals due to their lifestyle and background. Serving as a priest was not a right but a privilege given to a few. These same principles apply to the New Testament priesthood, of which every believer is a part.
Conduct in the relationships within the priestly family regarding worship and service depended on several factors. Some of these factors were beyond the members' control, while others they could influence. For example, individuals could not choose the physical blemishes they were born with, but physical defects did not equate to moral faults. There was some work they could perform, but not in the public duties of priestly ministry. A handicapped person in the priestly family was supported as a priest but could not represent God to the people or the people to God.
The Lord Himself sanctified the priests of the children of Israel. They were especially His servants, meant to offer spiritual sacrifices for the people and represent God to them. The restrictions placed on those in public view were designed so that the holiness of God would be clear to those who came to Him.
It is essential for us to remember that we, as a kingdom of priests, have been set apart from the world to be holy unto the Lord. We are also called to be holy unto those we represent. A change occurs when someone is born into the family of God. Circumstances and associations, even today, can hinder the service of a child of God. When a person is saved by grace, that individual is accepted in Christ based on who He is. He is the reason for our acceptance because “We are accepted in the Beloved.”
Communion with God is quite different. It is influenced by how we behave in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We are children of God because of the new birth that the Spirit and the Word bring about. Obedience as children of God depends on us. There are limits in our Christian life and service that we cannot control or change. That is not our fault. Such limits are allowed by God or are the result of our lives when we were "dead in trespasses and sins."
There are areas in our lives as believers where we are responsible for taking control. Carelessness as a believer can effectively disrupt our communion with God and cause lasting effects that hinder our priestly service for a lifetime. Willfulness will prevent us from worshipping God "in spirit and in truth" because we believe we can do God's work our own way. Worship and service are not arbitrary for someone who is a child of God. He is the One who has sanctified us and has every right to expect our obedience and communion with Him.
God knows our limitations and makes allowances for them. He also knows our hearts and expects us to present our bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," which is our "priestly service." Our conduct as priests in our relationship with God depends on us. We are not left to guess about holy things and holy living. The guidelines for priestly service are in the Word of God, and He has the right to expect us to follow them. We can't prevent the blemishes that come from our nature. However, we can address the carelessness and willfulness that negatively affect our communion, worship, and work for the Lord. We are to be holy unto the Lord, holy for the Lord, and sanctified by the Lord.