1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Leviticus 11:44-45 I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
Leviticus 19:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Leviticus 20:7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
Have you ever thought about what it means to be Holy? “Be holy, because I am holy”. Those who would be kept from any sin must be careful to avoid all temptations to it, or coming near it. As Christians, we enjoy our liberty in Jesus Christ “Alone” as our redemption, salvation, and forgiveness. Observances of various laws, statutes, and rules were given during the exodus from Egypt. Temple worship, sacrifice, and proper conduct in life for honoring and glorifying God were given. These laws, rules, and statutes painted a picture in great detail of what it meant to be set apart for God. They also pointed out the ease at which sin surfaces within a person. Being freed from the bondage of the laws of Moses by the blood of Jesus Christ is where we find our liberty in Christ. However, we should ever be careful and sincerely watchful that we do not abuse this liberty. “Be holy, because I am holy”.
Holy: separated, pure, and wholly devoted to honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all thoughts, words, and actions, all of the time.
I fear our liberty has allowed us to diminish holiness. What would holy living look like lived out in our lives today?
- Intentionally devoted to honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all thoughts, words, and actions.
- Studying God’s Word continuously.
- Praying continuously.
- Being continuously in the presence of God in your heart, mind, and soul.
- Worshiping Jesus Christ.
- Praising Jesus Christ.
- Glorifying Jesus Christ.
- Rejoicing in Jesus Christ
- Expectantly listening for leading and wanting to be led by the Holy Spirit.
- Continuously clinging to, trusting in, and relying upon Jesus Christ in all things.
- Displaying the fruits of the Holy Spirit; faith, love, joy, patience, kindness, hope, generosity, brotherly kindness,
- Continuously desiring God to search your heart and make known to you that which is offensive to being holy and God-honoring.
“Be holy, for I am holy” – In our culture holiness (holy living) gets watered down to that which is mere baby food like examples. Our hearts are not set on being holy. We rarely think about honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all our thoughts, words, and actions. We allow the busyness of life to justify our lack of pursuit. We allow cultural tolerances to weaken our pursuit. We allow weak preaching to weaken our desire to be holy. We allow our time to be consumed by what the world and our flesh deem as more important. We desire and seek after what the world has to offer more than our pursuit of holiness.
Less than two months ago we celebrated Easter. During this celebration, we remembered the great cost Jesus paid for our salvation and redemption. I would think our hearts were moved to serve and honor Him with reverence, thankfulness, and commitment. How is that going? Is it fresh in your mind?
Let us never forget this and desire to be holy in all of our thoughts, words, and actions for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ.
Holy: separated, pure, and wholly devoted to honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all thoughts, words, and actions, all of the time.