Holy To The Lord
“You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in his ways...And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession...He has declared that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.”
—Deuteronomy 26:17-19
You’ve heard it, and if you are like me, you may have cringed a little bit. 1 Peter 1:15 says, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." I am reminded of God’s perfection and righteousness; I think of God’s goodness and unconditional love, and know that I do not match up. In this comparison, anyone would feel a little spiritually inadequate.
But what if “Holy” were less of a spiritual term, and more of a practical one? What if it were possible, even probable that we could all achieve holiness? The word “Holy” simply means that something is “set apart.”
We often speak about a holy or sacred place, and have an understanding that certain things are not allowed there because of its holiness. But I believe that holiness is a concept whose meaning has been reversed.
The holiness of the sanctuary does not dictate that we don’t house other activities there. Rather, our decision to set it apart for the worship of God and the equipping of the saints dictates the holiness of the sanctuary. The holiness of the altar does not preclude us from setting papers, drinks or food on the altar. Rather, it is our decision to set apart the altar for the worship of God that dictates the holiness of the altar.
Our holiness does not, nor can it ever dictate our decisions. Our decisions, on the other hand, will always determine our holiness.
Homework this week: Meditate on the scripture “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.“ Ask the questions, “How am I set apart for God in my conversations, relationships, finances, actions, and attitudes? Pray that God would reveal the ways he wants you to set yourself apart to him, and for the strength to do so. Decide specific ways you can set yourself apart as Holy to the Lord this week.
—Deuteronomy 26:17-19
You’ve heard it, and if you are like me, you may have cringed a little bit. 1 Peter 1:15 says, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." I am reminded of God’s perfection and righteousness; I think of God’s goodness and unconditional love, and know that I do not match up. In this comparison, anyone would feel a little spiritually inadequate.
But what if “Holy” were less of a spiritual term, and more of a practical one? What if it were possible, even probable that we could all achieve holiness? The word “Holy” simply means that something is “set apart.”
We often speak about a holy or sacred place, and have an understanding that certain things are not allowed there because of its holiness. But I believe that holiness is a concept whose meaning has been reversed.
The holiness of the sanctuary does not dictate that we don’t house other activities there. Rather, our decision to set it apart for the worship of God and the equipping of the saints dictates the holiness of the sanctuary. The holiness of the altar does not preclude us from setting papers, drinks or food on the altar. Rather, it is our decision to set apart the altar for the worship of God that dictates the holiness of the altar.
Our holiness does not, nor can it ever dictate our decisions. Our decisions, on the other hand, will always determine our holiness.
Homework this week: Meditate on the scripture “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.“ Ask the questions, “How am I set apart for God in my conversations, relationships, finances, actions, and attitudes? Pray that God would reveal the ways he wants you to set yourself apart to him, and for the strength to do so. Decide specific ways you can set yourself apart as Holy to the Lord this week.