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Thoughts on Holiness

“For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44)

What does it mean to be holy? This is something I have been considering recently, and a question, I think, which warrants careful reflection. God tells His people to be holy, as He is holy, and Paul likewise commends the church to holiness in several of his epistles. What, then, is holiness? In Leviticus, the Lord tells the Levites that the things consecrated for use in the temple cannot be used for anything else. They are dedicated, irrevocably committed to temple service. If the temple and its regulations are an image of the new and better covenant, and further of Christ’s work in our lives as His temple, then the dedication of temple objects is a representation of our commitment to the service of the Lord. We are to be vessels for honorable use, devoted fully to the work of God and forsaking all other priorities and plans. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)  But if holiness is to be completely devoted to God’s will in the earth, what does that mean practically? According to James, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27) So practically, holiness is to be dedicated to the things of God in caring for the people he has put in our lives - particularly the weak who cannot care for themselves - and to keep our eyes fixed on him despite the winds of desire and passion which hold sway in the world. Yet, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” (Jeremiah 17:9) How can we, in our imperfect flesh and burdened by sin, be holy? How can we, even for one moment, give our attention to anything not ourselves? If we cannot conceive of living holy lives in human terms, how much more do we fail to meet the standard of holiness set by a perfect God? It is impossible. But there is good news. We have a great high priest seated above, who ever lives to intercede for us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16) We have only to hold fast to our Captain, who sends His very Spirit to live in us, and who is daily conforming us to His image. His holiness purifies us, and His Spirit gives us the strength to be holy which we do not possess. Therefore let us strive to imitate Christ and pray for Him to root out the fleshly in us, so that we can be presented before God a pure and spotless bride prepared for Him.

Comments

  1. Audrey GrissomMarch 8, 2018 at 7:09 PM

    Amen! How wonderfully practical! Visit orphans and widows. Don't be stained by the world. And even the solution to our weakness is practical. Go confidently and ask your Father for that which you lack. Very clear. Thank you.

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