Leviticus 22 DEFILEMENT AND DEFECTS Those who are children of God and who are able to serve and worship Him, need to learn the importance of everything they do. They need to always be conscious of the fact that they are consecrated to God and are separate from the world system for a reason. We are to be separated unto the Lord because He is holy and separated from the sinful ways of fallen mankind. We need to be reminded often that we are to "be holy, for I am (God) holy."
In our service for God, such holy occupation deserves, and demonstrates, purity that accompanies anything or person that represents God. A priest could not serve if there was some sickness in him. He had to be clean inwardly. It is possible to not only be defiled ourselves, but through our own carelessness, defile others. Sometimes defilement happened to the priest because of outward contact with people or things that were unclean, and the consequences were that he became unclean. There can even be moral defilement that comes from a defiled mind in which thoughts have not been brought under control "to the obedience of Christ."
We are wise when we heed the warnings to avoid unholy contact with those things or people that demean the Lord and His Word. It is very easy for a person to be wrongly influenced by a teacher or professor who uses smooth words to challenge the faith in God a young believer has. Words can quickly defile the mind and may never leave one without doubts and unanswered questions that hinder or even stop our service for God. Similarly, unholy alliances in marriage, business, religious and political activity has the power to stop effective service for God. We are plainly told to "come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord." There are good reasons for that separation. Usually unholy contact that leads to unholy alliances, will go farther and result in unholy compromises.
The more highly we estimate the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the more we will be committed to holiness ourselves. When our understanding of our calling and commission is clear, then we will serve God in the way He deserves to be served. We will then be able to demonstrate the purity of God by holiness in our life and service.
To go even further in the acts of priestly ministry, one who offered sacrifices had to be able to discern what was acceptable and what was not acceptable. Not every defect was easily seen. The down-turned ear of an animal or a discharge from its nose indicates there is something internally wrong. An animal that turns only one way indicates a blind eye. Other external defects can be seen by the practiced eye of one who has a clear understanding of what is acceptable and what is unacceptable when it comes to quality.
The worship of God deserves and demonstrates the quality of true appreciation, devotion and love for God. Such worship deserves the best of our time. Often worship is hindered by what we consider more pressing responsibilities of business, family or pleasure. Worship begins in our minds as we begin to consider who God is and all He has done. There is a sense of awe that often begins at the dawn of a new day and can be nurtured then in a special way. The true worship of the Lord deserves and demonstrates the quality of our talents and abilities. To leave our "left-overs" for God is insulting to Him. Yet, many give their best talents for a business and a paycheck and leave the little of our strength we have left for the Lord.
It is not an uncommon practice to leave even the best of our treasure for those people or purposes that have nothing to do with the kingdom of God. When the priests of old offered sacrifices to God, they had to discern what was the best and be willing to reject those defective animals that were brought. They were not to compromise the holiness of the Lord's people by allowing unholy practices to be directed towards the holy God. Such things would have profaned His name, and those looking on would say, "They are no better than the Egyptian priests. There is nothing to the worship of God that is any better than what we left."
The more highly we estimate the blessings we have received from God, the more carefully we will attend to our worship of God. A proper understanding of who the Lord is and what He has done for us will affect our service for Him. It will challenge us to not allow anything to defile us as we serve the Lord with a sincere desire to glorify Him. In a similar way our understanding of the blessing He has given us will keep us from even considering giving Him less than the best of our time, talents and treasure.
The purity of our souls will be demonstrated in our service for God. We need to be committed to be clean inwardly, outwardly and morally. It is our responsibility to avoid unholy contacts, alliances and compromises no matter how close they may come to us. That way we will avoid defilement ourselves and not be willing to offer to the Lord anything that is defective. Our service deserves our purity, and our worship deserves and demonstrates the quality of our faith.