Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Although God continues to be a God of love – just like ordinary parents today – He does have some strong expectations of His children. Those expectations start with the fact that He has redeemed the believer from both the wages of sin and the power of sin in the life.
God can only have close fellowship with people that are like-minded – and God is above all else – holy (without sin of any kind). Believers will find that He wants to fellowship with His children, but they need to grow in grace and holiness:
- II Co. 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
- Col 3:8 “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Just as God required the Old Testament Jews to be holy, His expectations are no different for His children in the age of grace. When His children fail to be headed toward holiness, He will eventually chasten them – just like earthly parents would correct an erring child: “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Heb. 12:10).
When it comes to Christian service, the same thing holds true. God does not want – nor is He willing to use unclean vessels (unholy people) in His work. He has not changed in those requirements: “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (II Tim. 2:20,21).
Now let me ask you, Christian: If you say that you fellowship with God, are you seeking to be holy so that He will recognize your worship and bless your service?