Sanctified by the Altar

I have posted how we could be sanctified by a man, and now how we could be sanctified by the altar.

A woman will only be effective in her mandate when she recognises that she is a sister on the ground of the brethren. This relationship must be established before she becomes a wife and mother. Long before she was a helper to her husband and a mother to her children, she was a sister. This is a significant point because it highlights the source of confusion between the culture of the kingdom and any other culture that can exist in our homes. Most of the angst experienced by a woman and her household can be attributed to placing higher priority on the covenants of marriage and the house, than on the covenant of the kingdom. This leads to alternate cultures and agendas being accommodated in the home. These are then thrust upon the fellowship of the church. This is offering in uncleanness that defiles the Lord’s house. This denies the altar that sanctifies our offering.

Let us consider a simple example. Our ethos for dress at church functions should show respect for the occasion. If a woman dresses in inappropriate clothing, this is not firstly an issue to do with the culture of the kingdom. The question should be, what allowances and accommodations are being made in the covenant of the house in which she lives, that give credence to clothing that denies the covenant of the kingdom? The problem lies in the covenant of her marriage and covenant of her house. The hope would be that she perceives the merits of modesty. She recognizes that the Lord desires her to guard her sanctification and pursue the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. With illumination on the culture of the kingdom, the covenant of her house will be amended. This is only one example. All areas of our culture are to be sanctified by the altar.

Mat 23:19
"You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?"

Exo 29:37
"For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it; then the altar shall be most holy, and whatever touches the altar shall be holy."

Mat 23:26
"You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also."

1Pe 3:1-6
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, (2) as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. (3) Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; (4) but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. (5) For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; (6) just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

Psa 51:6
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

Rom 2:29
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.