<\/p>\n
\u201cThen Moses said to Aaron, \u2018This is what the Lord has said: \u201cAmong those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.\u201d\u2018 And Aaron held his peace\u201d (Leviticus 10:3).<\/p>\n
WHEN NADAB AND ABIHU DISRESPECTED GOD BY FLOUTING HIS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE WORSHIP, THEY PAID FOR IT WITH THEIR LIVES. These men having offered \u201cunauthorized fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them . . . fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them\u201d (Leviticus 10:1,2). And in the aftermath, God clearly stated the point He wanted the people to take from the event: \u201cAmong those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified\u201d<\/em> (v.3). What does this statement mean, especially the part where God says, \u201cI will be sanctified\u201d? Two interpretations are possible, and both of them involve truths that are clearly taught in the Scriptures:<\/p>\n (1) The NIV words it this way: \u201cAmong those who approach me I will show myself holy.\u201d If this is how the Hebrew is to be taken, it means that those who come near God (the priests) will be vessels through whom He will exhibit His holiness. The NLT translates it, \u201cI will display My holiness through those who come near Me.\u201d<\/p>\n (2) But the NKJV renders it: \u201cBy those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy.\u201d This means, as the CEV tersely puts it, \u201cI demand respect from my priests.\u201d Today, every Christian is a priest (Revelation 1:6). To come near God is a serious thing. Disrespect and disobedience will not be tolerated in our approach to Him.<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve said, both of these lines of thought are true. Either way, the main point is that God is holy. He must be treated<\/em> as holy \u2014 with deep respect for His commandments \u2014 and He will also display<\/em> His holiness in His dealings with those who come near \u2014 even if that means punishing those who play fast and loose with His instructions and \u201cworship\u201d Him presumptuously.<\/p>\n When it comes to God\u2019s plan for our salvation, only He has the right to decide the terms of our forgiveness. In the matter of obeying the gospel, as in all else, it is He who writes the rules and not we. So we need to dispense with the popular notion that we can \u201clove\u201d God with a \u201cpositive\u201d (and wholly subjective) theology that pays little attention to the requirements of His holiness.<\/p>\n \u201cSaying yes to God means saying no to things that offend his holiness\u201d (A. Morgan Derham).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n