The Consequences of Neglecting the Holiness of Others

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Verses:1 Samuel 4:13, 17-18 "When he arrived, he looked and saw the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were dead. When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he asked, "What does the noise of this commotion mean?" Then the man hurried and told Eli. Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were set so that he could not see. The man said to Eli, "I have come from the battle line. Indeed, I escaped from the battle line today." And he said, "What happened, my son?" Then the messenger replied, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell off the seat backward by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years." 

The story of Eli, the priest, serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of neglecting the holiness of others. Despite his own devotion and holiness, Eli failed to exert a positive influence on his children, Hophni and Phinehas. As a result, they grew up to be corrupt and unholy, ultimately leading to their downfall and the capture of the Ark of God.

Eli's love for the Ark and his personal holiness were not enough to save him from the consequences of his failure to lead his children in the ways of the Lord. His death was a direct result of his broken heart, which was caused by the news of the capture of the Ark and the death of his sons.

This story teaches us that striving to be complacent with our exclusive personal holiness, while neglecting the holiness of others, is wrong. It is not enough to simply focus on our own personal holiness, while ignoring the spiritual well-being of those around us. When we prioritize our own personal peace and holiness above the needs of others, we risk facing the consequences of their sin, just like Eli did.

In fact, this kind of attitude can be seen as a form of selfishness, where we prioritize our own spiritual comfort and security above the needs of others. But as Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, to exert a positive influence on those around us, and to lead others to the Lord.

As we reflect on this story, let us examine our own lives and relationships. Are we striving to be complacent with our exclusive personal holiness, while neglecting the holiness of others? Or are we actively seeking to lead others in the ways of the Lord, and to exert a positive influence on those around us?

Let us learn from Eli's mistake and strive to prioritize the holiness of others, alongside our own personal holiness. Let us remember that our personal holiness is not enough, and that we must also seek to lead others in the ways of the Lord.

Prayer:

Dear God, we thank you for the reminder that our personal holiness is not enough. Help us to prioritize the holiness of others, alongside our own personal holiness. May we not strive to be complacent with our exclusive personal holiness, while neglecting the holiness of others. Instead, may we actively seek to lead others in the ways of the Lord, and to exert a positive influence on those around us. We pray this in humility and reverence, Amen.

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