What does it mean to be "holy" as commanded in Leviticus 20:7? Setting the Scene • Leviticus 20:7: “Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.” • The chapter warns Israel against pagan practices and sexual sins common in Canaan. • God’s call is both relational (“I am the LORD your God”) and ethical—His people must reflect His character. Defining Holiness • Hebrew qadosh means “set apart, distinct, separate.” • Holiness is more than moral goodness; it is belonging exclusively to God. • The word “consecrate” (hitqaddish) is reflexive—Israel is to take deliberate steps to align with God’s set-apart nature. Holiness as Separation • Physical separation from idolatry (vv. 1–6). • Moral separation from sexual immorality (vv. 10–21). • Social separation from unjust practices (v. 23). • The point: God’s people cannot blend in with cultures that oppose Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:17–18). Holiness as Moral Purity • Holiness impacts thoughts, speech, relationships, and worship. • Leviticus 11:44 repeats the call: “You must not defile yourselves…”—purity is non-negotiable. • Hebrews 12:14: “Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Holiness in Daily Living • Offer your body as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). • Renew your mind; reject the world’s mold (Romans 12:2). • Practice integrity in business, family, and community life. • Guard worship—no rivals to God, no compromise in doctrine or devotion. New Testament Echoes • 1 Peter 1:15-16: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do….” • 1 Thessalonians 4:7: “For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.” • The same God speaks in both Testaments; holiness remains the standard for His covenant people. Practical Steps to Pursue Holiness 1. Self-examination: regularly ask where attitudes or habits conflict with God’s character. 2. Confession and cleansing: 1 John 1:9 affirms forgiveness and purification. 3. Saturate your mind with Scripture; holiness grows where God’s Word dwells richly. 4. Choose godly associations; “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). 5. Flee tempting environments; pursue righteous alternatives (2 Timothy 2:22). 6. Depend on the Holy Spirit; He empowers obedience (Galatians 5:16). 7. Serve others; holiness is not isolation but love expressed in action. Why Holiness Matters • Reflects God’s own nature—He is holy (Isaiah 6:3). • Validates witness; the world sees the difference Christ makes. • Guards fellowship with God—sin disrupts intimacy. • Prepares for eternity; holiness is the atmosphere of heaven (Revelation 21:27). |
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