Being Holy

The Lord spoke to Moses: "Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them: Be holy because I, Yahweh your God, am Holy." Leviticus 19:1,2

This is the only time Moses is instructed to speak to the full Israelite community. This must be important.

In Matthew 5:48 Jesus said: "You must be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect." In verses 43-46 Jesus teaches about love being a motivator. Loving our neighbour and praying for our persecutors, so that we may be sons of our father in heaven.

In Leviticus 18:3 God tells His people to respect their mothers and fathers and in verse 4 not to turn to idols. 

Firstly loving and respecting others and then respect for God by not turning from Him  to idolatry Is a part of holiness.

What does 'Holy' look like? I guess the best representation of holiness would be Jesus. If we want to understand the Old Testament law we need to watch God Himself live under the law. 

Further in chapter 19 God gives a summary if the laws. In chapter 20 He deals with worship of Molech, witchcraft and sexual misconduct. If we applied these laws today, there would be a lot of dead people. Leviticus shows us how impure we really are and how much we have come to tolerate uncleaness. 

Yesterday England and Wales passed a law allowing for same sex marriage. Leviticus would have them dead. What is right? Many would argue against the Levitical law saying it is harsh. Yet if I live in Christ then I fulfill the just requirements of the law. I would embrace the spirit of the law.

Yesterday I attended the opening if a new gym here in Tamworth, Australia. The owners are homosexual. Does this mean I stone them? No! I love them but do not endorse their choice. I have to trust my God. What would He have me do? Love them. However, my life must be holy as He is holy. I am His, I am set apart from the ways of the world. I am a torch not a rod of iron. God is judge and Lord over all. Amen!


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