Distinguish Between Clean and Unclean
The pastor’s job is to help people distinguish between clean and unclean. In the Old Testament, this was directly related to the law. Today it is directly related to God’s infallible word. As Christians, we are to live clean lives. If we have stumbled into sin, we are to consecrate ourselves. That means that we are to repent and get right with God.
Ezekiel 44:23
“They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.”
Feed the People
There were very stringent requirements for the Old Testament priests. Much of that is irrelevant today because sacrifices are no longer required. One thing that hasn’t changed is the requirement to instruct the people in what is right and what is wrong. Sadly, many pastors and churches today have forsaken that in the name of a false type of love. To call out someone’s sin is considered more of a crime than the actual sin itself. To keep the favor of the people, pastors have watered down their messages and ministries. God is holy, and He desires that we are holy too. It is the job of the pastor to lead the people in the way of holiness.
Called to Be Holy
How do you distinguish between clean and unclean? We aren’t excused from living a holy life, even if we don’t have a pastor who doesn’t model it. We are to fill our lives with God’s word, forsake sin, and pursue holiness. That which is holy is to take precedent over that which is common, or unholy. We are growing in our discernment so that we can better distinguish what is clean and unclean. Israel had forsaken holiness. They talked about God with their lips, but they didn’t live that way. Don’t be a nominal Christian. Be one who is so consumed by the Holy Spirit that those things that are unclean are distasteful.