Revelation 11:1-2
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
In context, the concept of measuring is very instructive indeed, beloved. It implies the existence of a standard established by divine authority. It implies that God has exact criteria regarding His sanctuary, altar and His worshippers.
Beloved, does your spirituality measure up? In these days of moral relativity, our faith is in danger of losing definition. In our postmodern age, everyone’s opinion is as good as anyone else’s. Moral absolutes are frowned upon and anything goes. Not so with God!
The altar must also measure up to God’s criteria. That means our worship, sacrifices, service and offerings must be worthy, holy and pleasing to God. We can’t just decide arbitrarily what to present before our holy LORD without regard to quality. The Word of God says our voluntary offerings must be without blemish (Lev 1:3).
God’s Word has clear parameters for true followers of Christ. While Abel’s worship was acceptable in the sight of God, Cain’s wasn’t (Gen. 4:5). So it is in our day. Like Cain, there are many things we do purportedly for the glory of God that are not pleasing before the Holy One of Israel. God forbid!
Let us not be conformed to the pattern of this world (Rom 12:2). Let not our walk with Jesus be defiled by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness (Ep 4:14).
“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2). Let us not lower the bar–spiritually speaking. No compromise!
Pastor Josh