Holy and Profane

In just eight days much of the world will celebrate and observe Christmas. In America alone 92% of the population will observe Christmas. This includes professing Christians as well as non-Christians. In fact 81% of people who are anything but Christian will also celebrate Christmas. This includes Muslims, atheists, Wiccans and various pagan earth cults.

I am part of the 8% who doesn't observe Christmas at all. Now the primary reason why I don't observe it is that I KNOW and BELIEVE that the Lord God has given us HIS days to observe and that these days have purpose and meaning. They ARE holy days. Days that are set apart for God's purpose. These days are listed in God's holy word in Leviticus chapter 23.

It's clear that Christmas falls OUTSIDE of God's commands AS DEFINED IN THE BIBLE, Christmas falls outside of God's world. It's NOT part of God's holy world IF we follow scripture.

There is the world of God. And there is the world system. There is holy....things of God. And there is worldly...things of the world.

Let's look at that point by turning to Leviticus chapter 10. In Leviticus chapter 10 the Lord is giving instructions to Aaron about how they, as a priesthood, are to treat God. In verse 3 the Lord says that anyone who comes near to God must regard God as holy. In verse 9 he tells the priests that they are not to drink any kind of alcohol when coming before the Lord...they need to have clear heads....this is serious business. And in verse 10 he tells them why.

Lev 10:10 that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,

God wants his people when they come near to him, to be able to tell the difference between holy.....Godly things...and unholy...things that are not Godly.

There's a better English word for “Unholy”......and the New American Standard bible uses that word and I'll read that same word from that translation.

(NASB) and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,

That word in English is “profane”. There is holy...God's world....and profane....worldly...things not holy.

Now in the greek versions of the old testament the word that is translated here as “unholy” or “profane” is the word “bebelos”. It's Strongs number G952 and it means to step over a threshold into a place where anyone is permitted. It springs from the notion that the temple, or the tabernacle, was a holy place....a place of God...and that outside of the temple, was a common place...a profane place...a worldly place.

In fact the English word “profane” comes from the latin word “Profanus” which literally means “outside of the temple.”

Now obviously we don't worship in temples as Christians. But the concept of God and his temple are still with us and is still applicable. Corinthians chapter 3 confirms that;

1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1Co 3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1Co 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

We are the temple of God. Individually and as a church. And God still has rules for holiness. There are holy things of God as defined by God in scripture. And we should hold on to and adhere to his instructions. But there are also things outside of the temple...behaviors, objects, attitudes and emotions that are not holy. That do NOT belong in the temple of God. That are OUTSIDE of the TEMPLE. And when we engage in those things we GO over the threshold of the temple. We go outside the temple. We PROFANE the temple of God.

So what does all this have to do with Christmas? Let's look at that by turning to 1 Timothy chapter 4.

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

This is MUCH more latter then when Paul wrote it. These ARE the latter times and Paul tells us that there are some who are going to turn from the faith and be deceived and follow false doctrine. In verses 2 to 5 Paul lists some examples. In verse he says this:

1Ti 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1Ti 4:7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

Look at verse 7. It says to reject “profane and old wives fables”. Let's analyze that. Profane as we've seen are things things outside the temple of God. The “old wives fables” denote stories or customs passed on from elders. Or the traditions passed on to younger by older. In that verse the world fables is the greek word “mythos” from which we derive the English word “myths”.

So we are to reject things traditional myths that fall outside of the temple of God. Doesn't this describe Christmas?

What the myths of Christmas? Santa Claus. Flying reindeer. Elves. Jesus born on December 25th. All myths. All fables. Christmas itself, the holiday, is NOT in the word of God. Anywhere. It is NOT a holy day of the Lord God. It is outside of the temple. Thus it is profane.

We need to look at one more scripture. Let's turn to Ezekiel chapter 22. In Ezekiel 22 Ezekiel is prophesying against a fallen Israel. An Israel, that much like America today, has rejected God and turned to idols. An Israel that has abandoned all morality. In verse 26 Ezekiel turns to religion...to the conduct of the priests who claim to be priests of God.

Eze 22:26 Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy (bebelos, PROFANE), nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

When we profane God we are putting God OUT of his temple. WE are NOT keeping him holy. Brethen, as Christians....and when we BECOME Christians....we have a duty and an obligation to God, to the Lord, to preserve HIS holiness. To recognize that there still are Godly standards of holy and profane. Our role as priests of God is to recognize God's holiness when we come before him and to discern that there are things that are NOT part of God's world, things that are NOT part of the temple of God. Brethren let us keep God and his temple holy.

Don’t you ever think that your church doctrine robs from the grace of Christ?

There we have it. No Christmas, no grace. A new church doctrine.

Most Christian not only celebrate Christmas as a time to take joy in Jesus’ coming but to also shine that light you speak of as a means of pointing to Christ so that those can know the reason for the joy.

What does one do the rest of the year? Hide their light under a basket?

I would not mind attending those Holy Days that your church practices but, I am probably just considered a filthy heathen pagan by your church

I'd be more concerned about how God perceives me than any church if I were you. That's how I look at it.

Why did Jesus eat and drink with sinners? Don’t you ever think that your church doctrine robs from the grace of Christ? Most Christian not only celebrate Christmas as a time to take joy in Jesus’ coming but to also shine that light you speak of as a means of pointing to Christ so that those can know the reason for the joy. I would not mind attending those Holy Days that your church practices but, I am probably just considered a filthy heathen pagan by your church as a Lutheran, I’m just plain too perverted by the world. Will you win any converts here? Have just come here to troll as one of great piety to feel good about your lack of sinning, or the forgiveness of sin in the saving by Christ’ blood? What is your motivation? Why do you think it will work? I believe you are a saved, do you believe that I am. I know I am per the testimony of the Holy Spirit in my heart. God Bless you. Not trying to offend, I just have what I consider questions.

Looking at your questions many seem to be asked from your belief that I believe I am more righteous or holy than others because I advocate for Christians keeping the holy days of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is incorrect.

I'll answer your questions but let me ask a couple of my own.

1. Do you consider it a fact that traditional holidays are more important for Christians to keep and observe than biblical holy days?

2. Do we as Christians have an obligation to our brothers and sisters in Christ to point out when they've strayed from the teaching of the Lord?

2. Do we as Christians have an obligation to our brothers and sisters in Christ to point out when they've strayed from the teaching of the Lord?

Yes, we do. However, we then must be ready for THEM to "point out" when YOU have strayed, be it ever so small a deviation.
It could turn REALLY ugly in a nanosecond.

It could be ameliorated by a joke of some kind: "Missed Sunday Mass? I hope those Packers made it worthwhile for you. No? Well, there IS always the confessional."

If one is a non-Catholic Christian then one ONLY needs to say "Sorry, Lord" and it's forgiven, even if one sins 100 times a day. PIECE OF CAKE.
Sin isn't a problem with that solution...no confession, no penance, no intention of not repeating. EASY PEASY.

Yes, we do. However, we then must be ready for THEM to "point out" when YOU have strayed, be it ever so small a deviation. It could turn REALLY ugly in a nanosecond

Oh I agree...wisdom is certainly needed. But there are really two issues. Criticizing a brother because we don't think they're doing something right that we don't do perfectly is certainly hypocrisy. But pointing out major doctrinal error is quite another thing. In this case, if one believes that scripture trumps tradition, it's clear that many Christians have fallen into major doctrinal error. Pointing this out with sound biblical references isn't a matter of hypocrisy or nitpicking, but is more akin to teaching others the truth of scripture.

If it produces rotten fruit, it is a waste.

If it causes me to sin and produce rotten fruit, it is a waste.

All that has happened is that I have judged you and your church in trying to defend my Lord and Savior from a perceived attack on what I and many, many others believe glorifies him and, also helps point people towards believing in Jesus Christ.
Christmas.
Keep Gods Sabbaths and festivals, I am no longer going to criticize you for that.

As for myself, during Christmas, as well as other days, I will eat and drink with sinners and tell them of Christ, the lamb of God, His final sacrifice for all of time.

Christ is the end all to Religion.

All our traditions and bible interpretations that lead to differing theologies mean nothing to God if we do not accept that Christ crucified is our only hope for living.

If it produces rotten fruit, it is a waste. All that has happened is that I have judged you and your church in trying to defend my Lord and Savior from a perceived attack on what I and many, many others believe glorifies him and, also helps point people towards believing in Jesus Christ. Christmas.

Christmas has done EXACTLY opposite of what you claim. Beginning in the late 1800's Christmas started becoming more and more popular. It is practically at it's zenith today. And how many people has a fake, manmade holiday brought to Christ? Let's look at that fruit.

Mainstream Christian churches are polluted by sexual sin. Entire churches have not only condoned, but endorsed homosexuality. Abortion has become the law of the land. Gay marriage is the law of the land. Islam is on the rise and on the march and is more popular then ever. While in the United States people are abandoning churches in droves. The American government has turned away from God. In fact it seems the more popular Christmas grew, the more corrupt Christianity and America have become.

So don't tell me that Christmas brings people to Christ. It's the exact opposite. The ONLY thing that bring people to Christ God the father. And he doesn't do it through glitz, tinsel and false myths. He does it through his word. His scripture. His record of how he wants his creation to live and worship him.

As for myself, during Christmas, as well as other days, I will eat and drink with sinners and tell them of Christ, the lamb of God, His final sacrifice for all of time.

Christ ate with sinners. He did NOT engage in their sins with them. Christ ate with them to show them and to tell them that there is a better way to live. A way that includes God and that includes turning away from sin. All possible through the indwelling of the spirit of God. He did NOT attend PAGAN worship services, sacrifice with them and them tell them "to believe in him". To believe in him means to BELIEVE HIM. Believe him when he says "The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts."

Sorry if I offended God and or you.

This is why I talked of rotting fruit.

This scripture tells me how I have done so
and, is why I knew I should have just back away but, I did not.

I have a warrior streak which is why I stay off the religion threads.
Sorry.

I’m done, I have an ugly feeling about it but, you certainly know that this is a two way street.

Romans 14New King James Version (NKJV)

The Law of Liberty
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord;[a] and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose[b] and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.[c] 11 For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”[d]
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

The Law of Love
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things[e] is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.[f] 22 Do you have faith?[g] Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.[h]

Jesus was not born during the Winter Solstice and we are never encouraged to celebrate the birth of Jesus...

We who love them still remember.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verses six to twenty,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

Romans 14 14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

Romans 14 has nothing to do with holy days. The greek text doesn't mention "holy" or "sacred" in any verses. The greek word for the holy days of the Lord, heorte (transliterated), is not mentioned here at all. In context this verse is referring to eating practices. It's most likely referring to a problem in the early church where clean animals had been sacrificed in pagan worship and later sold in the meat market. The issue as that early Christians were conflicted on whether they could eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Some became vegetarians. The "days" were likely those days that pagans sacrificed and put their meat out in the market.

Sorry if it seems I'm being a stickler about this but I am defending God's word. These verses have been twisted by others for over a thousand years to try and abrogate the word of God.

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