A Day-by-day devotional

January 3, 2023

The Sin Called Sacrilege

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 8-10

Scripture of the Day: Leviticus 10:1-7

The act of showing disrespect to a place or thing considered holy, is what is oftentimes considered sacrilegious. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, were among those privileged to have a first-hand encounter with Yahweh, the God of Israel. When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, they had experienced His miracles. Together with Moses, their father Aaron, and the seventy elders, these two brothers had met up with Him in Mount Sinai, heard His voice, and saw Him (Exodus 24:1-2, 9-11). Despite these incidents, they offered profaned fire before the Lord, coming to Him in an unauthorized way; thus, committing sacrilege.

Sacrilege, as we come to ponder, however, is not only the desecration of a holy building or the holy objects it contains within. It is the corruption of one´s body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:17). Sacrilege is not the blasphemy of religion. It is the defamation of Christ. It is not the defilement of tradition and doctrines. It is the depravation of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Sacrilege is not the act of touching holy things and making them unholy. Instead, sacrilege is the act of not touching unholy things and making them holy.

We have to remember that Jesus touched the leper. Jesus touched the adulterer. Jesus touched the tax collector. Then, they were healed. They were changed. They were set free.

Sacrilege is calling one´s self a Christian but not having compassion for those who are lost. Sacrilege is calling one´s self a Christian but remaining soaked up in a senseless pool of religion, tradition, and laws long abolished by Christ on the cross of His love. For indeed, sacrilege is thinking of one´s self holy and in all circumstances able because of one´s good works when they are, in fact, very much in need of saving and a Savior.

By and large, sacrilege is calling myself a Christian, but not living like Christ.

Reflection: What have you been sacrilegious of in the past? How can you make amends to offer reverence to the Lord instead, using your life as a sacrifice? Are you willing to allow your holy God to change your unholy life to one that pleases Him?

Prayer: Lord, I am aware of my unholiness and iniquities. Whenever I go astray, do not let go of my hand and bring me back to Your righteous paths. Help me to not commit sacrilege towards You, defaming your holy name through my thoughts, acts and words which are displeasing to You.  Amen.