Leviticus 11:45 For I am the LORD that brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. The height of human character depends on the nature of the motives by which men allow themselves to be governed. It is certain (1) that we are all actuated by a great variety of motives; (2) that we are affected by many considerations in our choice of the better path; (3) that of the right motives which actuate us some are much higher than others; (4) that while it is well to be moved by every honourable impulse, we should seek to be mainly moved by the highest and best of all. Here we have three of the highest possible motives for the best possible estate, three high reasons for holiness. I. GOD, IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY, COMMANDS IT, AND IT IS OUR HIGHEST DUTY TO OBEY HIM. "I am... your God: ye shall." Duty is one of the highest of all considerations, if not positively the very highest. Our duty to obey God when he says "ye shall" is clearly the highest of all duties. II. GOD HIMSELF IS THE HOLY ONE, AND IT IS OUR HIGHEST HONOUR TO BE LIKE HIM. "Ye shall be holy; for I am holy." He is the "Holy One of Israel," the "holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts." "He is light, and in him is no darkness at all." There is no conceivable ambition man can cherish that is so high as the aspiration to be like God, the righteous Father of souls (see Matthew 5:48). III. GOD, OUR REDEEMER, DESIRES IT, AND IT IS OUR HIGHEST SATISFACTION TO PLEASE HIM. "I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt." If there were anything we desired to withhold from him who is "our God," the God from whom we came, to whom we belong, and before whom we stand, still there can be nothing we will keep back from him who is our Redeemer, who has "brought us out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." "To Jesus, our Atoning Priest," we bring (1) our promptest and devoutest attention, (2) our unquestioning faith, (3) our most cheerful obedience. We run to keep his commandments. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. |
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