Made Holy
God invites us to take small steps every day towards holiness that with each step we would become more like Jesus.
“They must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the food offerings to the Lord, the food of their God, they are to be holy. Regard them as holy, because they offer up the food of your God. Consider them holy, because I the Lord am holy—I who make you holy."
Leviticus 21:1, 5-6, 8, 16-20
God teaches the people that how they look at things matters. Think about your average day and the people you see. What initial thoughts come to mind when you see others? We live in a culture that loves to label and cancel each other. God has a better way.
God wants to invite us to look for the holiness in each other and the activities we do each day. How would looking for the best in others help bring out the best in others? How can our words and attitudes help God's holiness permeate every environment we enter?
“Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate...He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name."
Psalms 111:2, 4, 7, 9-10
Is it possible to develop a mindset where we praise God all day long? Is it possible to praise Him for all that He made including the people who are not yet living redeemed lives? Part of the process of becoming more like God is through how we praise God.
When we speak we are making a choice to either praise or not praise. When we do not praise, we are making a conscious choice to declare that what we are saying is more important to us than choosing to praise in that moment. How can the pursuit of holiness impact how we speak each day?
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:9-10
Wisdom says that wise people recognize that their is always more wisdom to be attained. As humans, we can never fully comprehend the full magnitude of the glory of God. How have your thoughts limited God? Do you believe that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you?
Wisdom says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom because it demands acknowledgement that our perspectives are limited and need God to come into right understanding. Solomon, who never knew Jesus, wrote that the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Imagine how much wiser Solomon would have been had he spent time with Jesus.
“the Lord has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth.”
Jeremiah 45:3-4
Jeremiah was not afraid to speak the truth even when it was hard. It is not easy to tell people that change is coming. God was not and is not going to let His people settle into common culture style living.
One thing we learn following Jesus is that change is coming. We have to unlearn what we have learned. We have to unlearn and uproot our fears, worries, and anxieties. We have to overthrow the areas in our life where we have given others or other desires authority over God's plan. How is God uprooting areas soil that needs tilling in your heart? Are you open to change?
“Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day...I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”
Acts 23:1, 6, 11, 20-21, 23-24
At the end of our lives we will be accountable to God alone for how we stewarded our time, talent, and treasure. Will we hear the words 'well done good and faithful servant' or will we hear I never knew you?
The call to holiness is an invitation to become who you are made to be as all of your heart, mind, and soul conforms to the likeness of Jesus. Change is going to be required. The question is if you will follow with a heart of praise or if you prefer procrastination. It is easy to put off holiness to another day, but there is always blessing on the other side of sacrifice. It is a sacrifice to forego the immediate for the eternal. Holiness requires sacrifice, but when viewed with the fear of the God will unlock the inheritance that God intends for His beloved children.