“BE YE HOLY”
“And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy,
and have severed you from other people, that ye should be
mine.” (Leviticus 20:26)
Have you ever read the book of Leviticus? It is a detailed record
of many of the laws God gave Israel concerning the priesthood, sacrifices and
offerings, purification and moral living. The theme of the book is clear “be
holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45). The holiness of God is the compelling
reason His people must be holy. Regardless if one speaks of Israel under
the Sinai law, or the whole world under the gospel of Christ, one
cannot live an unholy life and then demand that God accepts one “as
they are” and even reward them for unholiness.
However, based on the observations of humans one may conclude that
this is the attitude of many toward God. The context of today’s verse commanded
Israel to keep all the statutes and judgments of God "that the land where
I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out” (Leviticus 20:22). Holiness
demands we make a distinction between what is clean and unclean, what is sin
and righteous, what is evil and good (Leviticus 20:25). God separated Israel so
it would be holy before Him. Let us separate ourselves from unholiness so that
we can belong to our God.
Don Koontz, Daily Word
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