The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

HOLINESS

There is no one like our God. He is holy and perfect in motive and action, the essence of a clean, pure light of love and glory. He is absolutely unique from the lifeless gods of the nations.

God chose to put his greatness and goodness on display through a special relationship with the people of Israel. With the blessings of his care and provision came an expectation that the people would consecrate themselves and be holy as he is — not divine, but separate and unique in the ways of worship and daily conduct. The call to be holy was not simply to make Israel look different from other peoples — they were to be holy by association, because God is holy. In other words, their holiness spoke something about him. The careful life they lived in accordance with God’s requirements helped identify them as belonging to him.

God gave laws for appropriate interaction with the people and things around them. His commands were connected to the goal of remaining clean and undefiled. Some laws listed what should not be touched or eaten — these things would render a person unclean. The letter of these laws applied only to ancient Israel, but the spirit of them continues to apply to God’s people today. Like the Hebrews, we are called to holiness in every area of life (1Pe 1:14 – 16).

Jesus brought new clarity to what it means to be clean. He taught that what defiles us comes from the inside — from the heart — not from external things we touch or eat (Mt 15:1 – 11). Christians live under the covering of God’s grace. Our forgiveness is full and permanent — we do not fear defilement leading to a loss of the righteousness given to us by Christ. We touch and eat in a careful freedom built upon the Holy Spirit living in us and our discernment of sin.

We are holy because of Jesus (Heb 10:10) — and yet the Bible calls us to keep growing in holiness as we separate ourselves from sin (1Th 4:1 – 8). Christians are purchased people. God has every right to expect our obedience to his preferences for how we live out our days on the earth. When we live holy lives, we distinguish ourselves as God’s people and honor him through happy obedience.

Jesus, thank you for making me holy. Help me to become more holy as I seek you each day. Help me to live a holy life that brings you honor. Amen.