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'And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD [am] holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine. Leviticus 20:26 NKJV
Sometimes the Bible says something so important that it says that truth or command repeatedly. That’s certainly the case with today’s key verse, which is the fifth time the Lord makes this statement in ten chapters (see also 11:44, 11:45, 19:2, and 20:7).
Some may be tempted to think: But that was then. This is now. Holiness is impossible. Besides, the Lord forgives all my sins.
Really? Listen to the apostle Peter’s emphatic words: “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.’ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear” (1 Peter 1:13-17 NIV).
After love, holiness is the penultimate hallmark of the followers of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t mean that you never sin. It does mean you keep short accounts with God. It means you forsake old ways of living. It means you focus on heaven. It means you seek God’s “Well done!”
Prayer: Lord, transform me. As you have said, I want to be holy.
Sometimes the Bible says something so important that it says that truth or command repeatedly. That’s certainly the case with today’s key verse, which is the fifth time the Lord makes this statement in ten chapters (see also 11:44, 11:45, 19:2, and 20:7).
Some may be tempted to think: But that was then. This is now. Holiness is impossible. Besides, the Lord forgives all my sins.
Really? Listen to the apostle Peter’s emphatic words: “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.’ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear” (1 Peter 1:13-17 NIV).
After love, holiness is the penultimate hallmark of the followers of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t mean that you never sin. It does mean you keep short accounts with God. It means you forsake old ways of living. It means you focus on heaven. It means you seek God’s “Well done!”
Prayer: Lord, transform me. As you have said, I want to be holy.
