House of God

 Matt 11:17
’‘My house shall be called for all nations the house of prayer’? But ye have made it a den of thieves.”

It was the practice and conviction of the church I was saved in to keep the house of God sacred. All exchange of money for whatever purpose was to be done outside the church walls. Food was not to be eaten inside the church sanctuary. This included the basement, and any edifice connected to it. The premise of these strict rules is based on this passage of scripture. I do appreciate the reverence and respect that was given to God’s house, even though I think they have taken this scripture beyond the purpose it was intended. We need to keep the place we gather together to meet God special. We have entered into the presence of God, we are on holy ground. The sanctuary is not a playground or the marketplace, it is a place to “take off our shoes”, lift our hearts, and hear the word of God. 
Like the fig tree that Jesus had cursed on its way to the temple, the Jews were not bearing fruit that was pleasing to God. Their hearts were full of greed and selfish living. They did not care about being true worshipers of God, they used their religion and the temple to pad their pockets. Jesus saw the hypocrisy and the fruitlessness of their lives and manifested His wrath against the way they were blaspheming the House of God. Like the fig tree He cursed and withered away, Jesus was demonstrating His displeasure and anger at the sin of His chosen people. They were all about appearing good on the outside, a tree with leaves, but hearts far from true followers of God. The Jews were not bearing the fruit that God intended them to bear. As believers, it is not enough to be called a Christian, but God desires that our lives bear fruit unto righteousness, living our lives to be like Christ.

A Higher Standard

 1Tim 3:3
Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
A higher standard is always given to those in high positions. They are put into a position of responsibility, and must lead by example. It is especially important that those in leadership live above reproach. This does not mean that they are above human failure or fault, it is an admonition that they live their lives carefully. Their charge is great and failing to live up to the standard of God’s word can have dire consequences. In many respects, we are all overseers of someone. There are people who are watching our lives and following our example. Therefore, the charge is given in all who desire to live godly in Christ. The behavior of Christian goes beyond the outward standards of lifestyle. It goes to the behavior of the heart. The things we desire in life. Seeking power, pleasure, control, or money out of greed will diminish our effectiveness as a Christian and lead us down a pathway of destruction. The scripture is full of examples of those who were found wanting for being greedy. In the end, their sin found them out, and the sad words of the Christ at the end of life will be, “Depart from me you worker iniquity, I don’t know you.” Let us be seekers of God, and live a life that will lead others to Christ.