Leviticus 21: 10 "The priest who is the
highest among his brothers, on whose head
the anointing oil has been poured..."
There
were expectations for ALL those who were in
the house of Israel. They were to live
separately in every way from the nations
around them. However, to be a son of
Aaron and to be in the line of the priests,
especially the high priest, there was higher
expectation. Their morality must be
without question; their health and even
appearance must be without blemish (vv.
13-21).
Although we do not have priesthood like the
Old Testament required, we should make every
effort to live a life that is above and
beyond reproach. Those who have served
in leadership and especially in pastoral
ministry should expect from themselves a
higher standard for their lives. The
Apostle Paul included this teaching in the
requirements for one who desired to be an
overseer (1 Timothy 3: 1-7). The
Apostle Peter reminds us that we are to be
"examples to the flock!" (1 Peter 5: 3)
In a world that cares little for morality
and standards, believers should demonstrate
a standard that raises the standards of
their culture where they live and work.
We lose our influence and impact for
righteousness when our morality is just like
the morality of the world. God is a
forgiving God and full of mercy, but we
should not presume upon the mercies of God;
we should not lower our standards because
God is forgiving. Instead we must live
lives that are holy and acceptable in the
sight of God because as He is holy. So ought
we to be!
In Christ,
Tommy Middleton
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