“Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.’”
Leviticus 19:2 NASB2020
The ancient Israelites were commanded by God to live holy lives. The Law of Moses dictated the how’s and why’s of holiness.
Modern believers, Jews and non-Jews alike, are now united in the New Covenant written in the blood of Jesus. We are to be holy, set apart from the world. Some things never change.
Because you are children who obey God, don’t live the kind of lives you once lived. Once you lived to satisfy your desires because you didn’t know any better.
But because the God who called you is holy, you must be holy in every aspect of your life.
Scripture says, “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 GW
Be holy, for I am holy.
We are not made holy by our own effort. We are not set apart from the world in our own strength. We are made and remain holy by the work of the Holy Spirit.
To live a holy life, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
1 Peter 1:2 NLT
You may be surprised by what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Following Jesus means yielding to His Lordship over your life. You won’t be running with the crowd. You won’t look, act or sound like the world.
As the world spins faster and faster out of control, God’s people will remain at peace, worshipping the Lord with their lives, humbly walking with Him.
This world is not our home. Everything will be consumed by fire. Don’t get attached to temporary things. Hold onto your faith in the eternal, unchanging God who called you into His Kingdom.
Father in Heaven, thank You for delivering us from our worthless lifestyles born of corruption. Thank You that we have been born again of Your Spirit when we placed our faith, hope and trust in Jesus. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit. Empower us and inspire us to live holy lives, set apart for Your service. Let us no longer serve our own selfish agendas, but instead serve You wholeheartedly. You are God, You are holy, we are Your children whom You love. Fill us with Your love and light for all the world to see that You are good and You are here, living inside of us. Amen.
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
1 Peter 1:13, 23 NLT
Recommended reading: 1 Peter 1.
Igniter Ministries 