So it is with this people and this nation in my sight, whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled
Doing a holy work does not make us holy. Holiness comes to us by the means of a personal and faithful relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. These people began the rebuilding work on the temple (haggai 1:14&15), and after 3 months (2:10); God brought a damning verdict that all their work and their offerings are defiled.
Even though these people had responded to the call to return to the re-building work on the temple, there was no record of their repentance or offering of sacrifices to amend for their sins.
They carried on with the work on the temple as if that was a bribe for their sins of the past 18years. God drew their attention with the illustration of consecration and defilement. The lesson is that participating in a holy act does not make you holy.
We cant bribe God by working for Him.
If you continue to carry on with serving God alongside known unrepented sins, your entire labour will be burned by fire when it is tested (1Cor 3:12-15). Our lives must be pleasing to God before our works can be pleasing in His sight.
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, search me and reveal to me all unrepented sins in my life. Please Lord; let not my work in your vineyard be burnt by fire in Jesus name. Amen.
