“But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (HCSB)
In the Old Testament linen and wool could not be mixed (Deuteronomy 22:11). Yes, that is a bizarre passage, but it is there for a reason! I believe they prophetically represent the holy and the fleshly, that which is of God as compared to what is of the world. Though I am not calling for a literal restricting what we wear as the church (though modesty is always a good choice), I do sense God is highlighting the fact that He desires His people to be unique, and set apart from the world and the flesh!
This is the hour where God is separating what is sacred and what is of the world. His judgment is beginning to intensify within His church (1 Peter 4:17) and it is coming upon His enemies. There is a term, syncretism, that describes the mixing or compromising of the original to make it more palatable to the culture. It is the practice of combining or fusing together the beliefs and practices of differing schools of thought. We are called to come out of Babylon, not look more like it!
When Jesus turned the tables upside down in the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13) He was addressing this issue. The world had made its way into the house of God and He could not tolerate that! And He is doing it again today. Get ready for some “tables” in the church to be turned over! We have grown so numb to how much the world has been embraced in our churches. We are called to be IN the world but not OF it (John 17:14-15)! Sadly, this compromise is found everywhere. But Jesus will have a radiant church that is completely distinct from the world!
Cry out to God to show you any and every place you have been spiritually wearing mixed fabrics, where you have allowed syncretism to sneak into your life, where you have become numb to the world’s influence over you. Ask Him for the grace to be rid of it, and become wholly devoted to Him and absolutely holy unto the LORD. Pray for your pastor to see every place the world as snuck into his life and your church. Ask God for grace and courage to address these issues boldly, with deep conviction and seriousness. Pray that the church across our city would dress for Jesus and no longer for the world!
