Leviticus 21 CONDUCT IS IMPORTANT There are some things in life over which we have no control. We do not choose to be born into a specific family. The cause of our relationship with a particular family is not up to us but to the One who gives life - and makes no mistakes. It is by the grace of God alone that we hear the Gospel. It is by the work of the Spirit of God we are convicted of sin and brought to repentance. It is by the sacrifice of Christ we are able to respond in faith to the work of His grace and we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and placed as children into God's family. Every child of God is a priest by birth, whether a newborn babe in Christ or one who has matured, and offers publicly, spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. Both are priests. Neither became one by self- effort.
In the life of a Christian, the same as that of the Old Testament priest, relationship has been established by God. He is the cause of the formation of the relationship. That relationship was secured to the family of Aaron, and it is to those who are in Christ. "Once in Christ, in Christ forever; thus, the eternal covenant stands." Relationship is one thing; capacity is quite another matter. The fact of the relationship is secure; the privileges and enjoyment of that relationship is another matter. Conduct in the relationship of the priestly family in regards to worship and service depended on a number of things. Some of those things, the members of the priestly family had no control over, and other things they did. One could not help any physical blemishes they were born with. There was some work they could do, but not in the public part of priestly ministry. A handicapped person of the priestly family was supported as a priest but could not represent God to the people, nor the people to God.
It is important 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 to be holy unto those we represent. There is a difference made when one is born into the family of God. The Lord Himself sanctified the priests of the children of Israel. They were His servants in a special way. They were intended to be those who offered spiritual sacrifices for the people, and represented God to the people. The restrictions for those who were in public view were made so that the holiness of God would be understood by those who came to God. Circumstances and associations even today can hinder the service of a child of God.
When a person is saved by grace, that person is accepted in Christ on the basis of who He is. He is the cause. Communion with God is quite a different thing. Communion is affected by our conduct in the relationship with our heavenly Father. We are sons and daughter of God by virtue of the new birth the Spirit and the Word brings about. Obedience as sons and daughters is up to us. There are limitations in our Christian life and service over which we have no power nor control. That is not our fault. Such limitations have been allowed by God or are the result of our life when we were "dead in trespasses and sins."
There are those areas in our life as a believer over which we have the responsibility to take control. Carelessness as a believer can effectively stop our communion with God and leave us with lasting effects that will hinder our priestly service for a lifetime. Willfulness will keep us from worshipping God in "spirit and in truth" because we think we can do God's work in our own way. Worship and service are not arbitrary for one who is a child of God. He is the One who has sanctified us, and is the One who has every right to expect our obedience and communion with Him. God knows our limitations and makes allowance for them. He also knows our hearts and is expecting us to present our bodies "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" which is our "priestly service." Our conduct as priests in this relationship we have with God, is up to us. We are not left to speculate 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 conduct ourselves accordingly. We can't help the blemishes that come by our nature. We can deal with the carelessness and willfulness that negatively affects 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.