The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them, ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.'”
– Leviticus 19:1
“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”
- Verses like this frustrate and discourage me.
- It’s not like I don’t want to be holy. It’s not like I’m not trying.
- It’s not like I want to keep sinning with the same ol’ sin day in and day out.
“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”
- Easy for God to say. Of course you are holy. You are GOD!!!
- I struggle with holiness because holiness is not in me.
What are we supposed to do with this?
Whether we like verses like this or not, I’m pretty sure holiness matters to God and God fully expects us to comply.
Why would God command such a ridiculous thing? How can we do something that is impossible for us? Seems so unfair.
Check this out!!! This is huge!!!
God who commands us to be holy provides a way for us to keep this command. His name is Jesus.
God already knows we are not capable of holiness because holiness is not in us. So God made a way to cover us with his holiness through Jesus Christ. When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, Christ’s righteousness and holiness covers us. We become holy – not by our holiness – because Christ is holy and Christ covers us.
God tells us in Leviticus 20:7, “I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”
God is the one who makes holiness possible for us.
It is because of all that God has done for us in Jesus, we respond to God’s amazing love with gratitude. We strive to live holy lives, not because that’s how we become holy, but because God’s love compels us to.
Spend a moment to thank God for his love and faithfulness. Take the time to express to God your gratitude and appreciation for all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Praxis: Faith in Action 