In what ways can we "be holy to your God" in modern society? Foundational Verse “Be holy to your God” — Leviticus 21:6 What “Be Holy” Means • “Holy” (Heb. qadosh) = set apart, distinct, belonging entirely to God • Holiness is rooted in God’s own character: “For I, the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy” (Leviticus 21:8) • New-covenant believers are likewise called: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Why Holiness Still Matters • Reflects God’s nature to a watching world (Matthew 5:16) • Protects us from sin’s bondage (Romans 6:22) • Enables close fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 24:3-4) • Prepares us for service: “If anyone cleanses himself…, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful to the Master” (2 Titus 2:21) Practical Ways to Live Holy in Modern Society 1. Guard Personal Purity • Flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) • Honor marriage vows; keep relationships Christ-centered (Hebrews 13:4) • Set clear boundaries with screens and entertainment (Job 31:1) 2. Consecrate Speech and Media • “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29) • Filter music, shows, and social feeds through Philippians 4:8 • Refuse gossip, slander, and coarse joking 3. Cultivate Integrity in Work and Finances • Work “not only to be seen, but as servants of Christ” (Ephesians 6:6-7) • Pay debts, taxes, and employees promptly (Romans 13:7; James 5:4) • Practice generous giving and wise stewardship (2 Corinthians 9:7) 4. Practice Compassion and Justice • Defend the vulnerable—unborn, elderly, poor, refugee (Proverbs 31:8-9) • Reject prejudice; embrace the unity Christ purchased (Galatians 3:28) • Engage civic life with truth and grace (Micah 6:8) 5. Maintain Distinctive Worship • Set apart the Lord’s Day for gathered worship (Hebrews 10:25) • Keep homes Christ-focused with Scripture reading and prayer (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) • Celebrate ordinances (baptism, Lord’s Supper) reverently (1 Colossians 11:26-28) 6. Live Relationally Pure • Forgive quickly (Ephesians 4:32) • Speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) • Pursue peace and reconciliation (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14) 7. Depend on the Holy Spirit Daily • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16) • Regular confession keeps fellowship unbroken (1 John 1:9) • Spiritual disciplines—Scripture, prayer, fasting—shape holy habits (1 Timothy 4:7-8) Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Romans 12:1-2 — living sacrifices, transformed minds • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 — sanctification is God’s will • Hebrews 12:10-11 — discipline produces holiness and peace • 2 Peter 3:11-12 — holiness in light of Christ’s return Living Set Apart Each Day Holiness is not outdated; it is the believer’s everyday calling. By surrendering every arena—body, mind, relationships, work, worship—to the God who is holy, we shine His purity in a culture longing for genuine light. |
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