How can believers today "be holy to their God" as in Leviticus 21:6? Setting the Scene in Leviticus 21:6 “ ‘They are to be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. For they present the food offerings to the LORD, the food of their God; so they must be holy.’ ” What Holiness Meant for the Priests • Set apart for God’s exclusive service • Visibly different in lifestyle, clothing, and conduct • Charged with guarding God’s reputation before the watching nation The Same Call Echoes to Us • 1 Peter 2:9—believers are now “a royal priesthood” • 1 Peter 1:15-16—“Be holy, for I am holy.” • Hebrews 12:14—pursue holiness “without which no one will see the Lord.” Foundational Truths That Make Holiness Possible • Christ’s finished work (Hebrews 10:10): we are positionally holy in Him. • The Spirit’s ongoing work (Galatians 5:16-25): we are progressively made holy as we walk by the Spirit. • The Word’s cleansing power (John 17:17; Psalm 119:9): truth renews mind and behavior. Practical Pathways to “Be Holy to Their God” Today 1. Guard God’s Name in Every Sphere – Speak truthfully, avoid coarse talk (Ephesians 4:29). – Honor commitments; keep your word (Matthew 5:37). 2. Offer Daily Sacrifices of Worship – Present your body “a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2). – Cultivate gratitude and praise (Hebrews 13:15). 3. Practice Moral Purity – Flee sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). – Control eyes and thoughts (Job 31:1; 2 Corinthians 10:5). 4. Choose Separation from Defilement, Not Isolation from People – Reject partnerships that pull toward sin (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). – Engage culture while remaining distinct (Philippians 2:15). 5. Walk in Relational Integrity – Forgive as Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). – Pursue peace and reconciliation (Romans 12:18). 6. Serve with Sacrificial Love – Do good works that glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16). – Care for the vulnerable (James 1:27). 7. Keep Short Accounts with God – Confess sin promptly (1 John 1:9). – Renew your mind daily in Scripture (Colossians 3:16). Encouragement for the Journey Because Christ is our perfect High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), holiness is not a burdensome impossibility but a Spirit-empowered privilege. Each obedient step guards God’s reputation and displays His beauty to a needy world. |
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