“…since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1Pe 1:16)

Someone who was offended when I quoted Scripture on a topic that was discussed, recently declared that I was evil and wicked, and called me a witch. Nevertheless, said person claimed she would “pray Holiness finds you soon”… Well, I guess she lacks basic understanding about what holiness is.

We read in the Old and New Testament that we should be holy, for the Lord is holy – so what can holiness be ?

A look at the Hebrew and Greek words used tells you quickly what concept lies behind the word holiness – the concept of separation. Leviticus explains it quite plainly:

“For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” (Lev 11:45)

He brought His people out of Egypt, just like we are called to “come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues” (Rev 18:4). Separation from ungodly company, not only inside our head, but physical separation from the world and its ungodly indoctrination is an essential aspect to holiness.

Another reason for this separation is mentioned a few chapters later:

“You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” (Lev 20:26)

Separation is quite obviously not separation for the sake of separation, but a “setting aside” of oneself for God, a consecration of our whole life to God, so that we are His. Practically, that means that we follow His law in every respect, so that we do not defile ourselves with anything, but are a holy people unto God.

“For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.” (Lev 11:44)

“Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.” (Lev 20:7)

The same concept lies behind the consecration of the Sabbath as a day set aside for the Lord, by the way.

“So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” (Gen 2:3)

So the call for holiness is a call for separation, and for consecration of every area of life unto God, which means that holiness is a way of living rather than some spiritual force that roams the earth converting people…

Now, can anyone explain to me what in the world said lady prayed for ?

Technorati Tags: bible study, biblical law, holiness