Holy, Holy, Holy

     Reading through the Bible this year has been a joy since finding a five day program that is easy to follow.  I must admit, though, that reading the book of Leviticus is challenging with all of its lengthy description of sacrifices, rituals and actions that God expected His people to obey.  I have read this portion of God's Word many times thinking how tedious it was until a light bulb turned on in my brain.  In all of this minute detail, there was a clear thread running through the pages.  God is holy, and He has called a people to Himself to also be holy.  Leviticus 20:26 says:  "You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine."  Their approach to Him, their worship of Him was to be done in a manner consistent with His purity.  God cannot tolerate sin, and this is why there were so many blood sacrifices required.
     Often, we think of this as an Old Testament mandate and do not realize that Jesus also told us our lives are to be different than before we received Him as our Lord and Savior.  Matthew 5:48 (The Sermon on the Mount), Jesus said:  "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  In our own strength, this is impossible, but as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit applying the imputed righteousness of Christ
.  He is able to do in us what we cannot do for ourselves.
     Peter's letter also reiterates this call to live a holy life for God's glory in I Peter 1:14-16:  "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"  When we consider God's detailed instructions to Israel as well as what we are told by Jesus and the Apostle Peter, we know that living a holy life before God must be very important.
     One of the reasons God calls us to holy living is that we might glorify Him in this world.  Our conduct speaks volumes to those who do not know the love of Christ.  How we run our business, treat other people, care for our family and live out our faith is something others see.  After all, Peter calls us a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9):  "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out."  Our witness in daily living lets others know where we stand that God may be praised.
     In addition to our witness, we also demonstrate holy living when we worship God in fellowship with other believers.  According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "God does not work through big battalions, He is not interested in numbers; He is interested in purity, in holiness, in vessels fit and meet for the Master's use.  We must concentrate not on numbers, but upon doctrine, upon regeneration, upon holiness, upon the realization that this is a holy temple in the Lord, a habitation of God" (God's Way of Reconciliation, pg 376).  As we sing praises, listen to God's Word being preached and enter into corporate prayer, we are demonstrating to the world that we are a people set apart by God to bring Him glory.
     Living a holy life also means that the fruit of God's Holy Spirit will be evident in our lives.  Galatians 5:22 lists the fruit of our lives as believers:  "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodnesss, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."  Again, we cannot do this in our own strength, but as we grow in our faith, the Holy Spirit will bring forth this fruit in our lives.  Not only will this glorify God, but it will also bless those around us.
     Not many of us think about holiness on a daily basis and yet this is one of the most important characteristics of our Heavenly Father.  Through prayer, Bible study and worship, we will grow to know Him more each day.  As we do this, our minds are changed and we radiate His holiness and His glory.  It is to this end that God has called us that we might be a light in this dark world.
     Let me commend to you an excellent book on this subject:  The Holiness of God by Dr. R.C. Sproul.  It is well worth the time to read this.  May we all strive to live holy lives so that others will see Jesus in us.  Selah!