Following the captivity of Judah by Babylon, God allowed a remnant of His people to return back to Jerusalem. At the time of this return (which took several years 536 B.C.-444 B.C.), there were three main literary prophets chronicling the events; Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (the books of Ezra and Nehemiah also deal with the return as well).
The Book of Haggai divulges that the people had neglected the expense, time and effort to build the Temple (God’s house). Thus, God, through Haggai, warned the people, “consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5, 7). Not only did the people fail to build God’s house, but sadly, they had taken the time, spared no expense and were living in their own lavish houses (Haggai 1:4). Haggai’s primary message is that life without God is not worth much. In fact, Haggai likened life without God as simply “earning wages to put it into a bag with holes” (Haggai 1:6b). Consider the futility of such. Always running but getting nowhere! When we fail to put God and His Word first, life falls apart. There are certainly things in life today that are simply “a bag with holes.”
Denominationalism Is a Bag with Holes.
Tragically, the religious world has become much like the local ice cream shop; pick the flavor that suits you. While that philosophy may be fine for a choice of ice cream, it will never do for spiritual matters! The world needs to be taught that Jesus only ever authorized one church (Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4, et al). One can put all the denominational feelings, sincerity and attempted spirituality into a bag, but it will leak out of the holes that are therein! God’s plan from the start was never different sects of religion (Ephesians 3:10ff). In fact, it breaks the Savior’s heart to see men divided religiously (John 17:20-21).
Disguised Christianity Is a Bag with Holes.
Unfortunately, there are far too many “Sunday morning Christians.” Folks, who on the outside, appear to be pious sometimes are inwardly very poisonous. These same ones seldom get involved in the Lord’s work, but they are usually the first to complain about the work that is being done. Hypocrisy has always been a problem among seemingly religious people (cf. Matthew 6:16ff; 23:1ff). We must diligently guard against “play acting” by “examining ourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5), by seeking “pure religion” (James 1:27) and by keeping our “eyes” clear (Luke 6:41-42).
Disobedience Is a Bag with Holes.
Some have bought into the false notion that as long as one obeys parts of God’s demands they will be saved. However, Jesus made it abundantly clear that partial obedience is disobedience (Matthew 7:21ff)! Obedience is the key to salvation (Romans 6:17-18; Philippians 2:12, et al).
What a vivid picture, someone scurrying diligently to gain life’s blessings, only to be putting them in a bag with holes. The persons who live their life without sincere, scriptural obedience is no better. How are you living your life? Is your life a bag with holes?
