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February 19th
Today’s Bible reading is in Leviticus chapters 19,20,21.
Everywhere we read in the book of Leviticus we are confronted with just how important “holiness” must be to God. (“Be ye holy as I am holy.” ...As we find in our text today.)
That doesn't sound optional to me. It sounds like God’s expectation for His children.
“So Lord if holiness is what You want for us, help us to desire it every day in our lives.
So, to begin with, let us look at some definitions of “holiness.”
A holy life is a “separated life”. Like God’s divinity separates Him from everyone and everything else, our union with God, by grace through faith in Christ, separates us from everything not Godly.
A holy life is a “different life”. Different from what you ask? Different from the world....especially in our views of life and God.
Different from whom, another asks? Well, different from everyone who does not have “God-life” in him through Christ. A holy life is a “set apart life”...set apart to God...for His use only. A holy life is a “pure life”...pure in body and soul...free from the contamination of unrepented sin. A holy life is a “consecrated life”...a life dedicated to one main thing...the glory and fame of God. A holy life begins when “God is our greatest love”...when we love Him more than we love the pleasures of sin.
Wow. I can't help but remember Jesus speaking of the greatest commandment...”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” That is holiness...when God is our greatest love!
152 times the word holy is mentioned in Leviticus...
God was elevating the value of His character to His people. And calling them to desire and display His likeness...His Holiness...in love, in grace, in mercy, in faithfulness, in righteous living, in justice, in generosity, in courage, in boldness, in determination, in fullness of joy....just to name a few.
Time and time again we read in our text that God told Moses to speak to the priests of holy living...to daily consecrate their lives to the glory of God and the fulfilling of His purposes.
And while we are thinking of priests, let’s remember our Exodus reading of God’s intention to make Israel a “nation of priests”...holy unto Him.
Time and time again we hear God addressing Moses about the congregation of Israel being holy even as He is holy...not impure...but “like God”...pure in the thoughts and attitudes and actions of The Lord.
In other words....“a heart that says, “Lord, use me up for Your purposes...Here I am! Here is my body my soul and my mind for You to use in Your Kingdom’s work...as long as I live.”
Do you remember the phrase...”Holier than Thou.”...usually, it was used by one person judging another’s self-righteousness. Maybe it’s phrases like that turn us off to the truth of biblical holiness. “Well, I don't want to come across as being too religious.”
One more phrase...that gives us a hesitation to pursue holiness...”I'd rather be happy than holy any day. Happiness is our God-given right isn't it?”
In Hebrews 12:14 we read...”Strive/fight for peace with everyone, and for the “holiness” without which one will never see God.”
I know that in our union with Christ, we have His holiness, His righteousness imputed to us. That is our position in Christ in the heavenlies. Satan can accuse us all day long, but in Christ, His holiness covers and defends us in the court of heaven...isnt that awesome?!
We have a position of holiness, but there is required a “practical” holiness that believers must strive for in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many who say they are Christians live as though they are going to see God without a life of holiness. Many on church rolls live such unholy lives, that I fear that they will one day hear the dreaded voice of Christ saying, “I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity.”
God says Be holy for I am Holy...in Leviticus....and what does that humble heart attitude look like?
1 Peter 4:11 “Whoever serves let him do so as from the strength that God supplies...so that in everything accomplished God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15...”I will not venture to speak of snything except what Christ has accomplished through me.”
Leviticus 19 “Let every one of you that believes Me love and revere your mother and your father as long as you live.” (Respect them. Serve them....love them, as you would the Lord.”)
“Dont strip your vineyards bare at harvest time. Dont gather the grapes that have fallen to the ground. Leave them be...You and I want them for the poor and the sojourner.”
Holiness is important to God. That kind of life for the believer mirrors Him....magnifies Him...glorifies Him! Amen!
Have a good day
