Today’s Tasting: Leviticus 19-21: The Lord spoke repeatedly to the nation of Israel and said, “Be holy as I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2 ESV).
Then, He added, “You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine” (Leviticus 20:26 ESV).
In order to live holy lives, Israel would need to learn a completely new way of living. They belonged to the Lord. They would live separated lives unto God.
They knew only the lifestyle of the Egyptians because they had lived in Egypt for centuries. What was holy and what would living holy look like for Israel? What changes would be necessary for Israel to live as holy?
The Lord provided regulations that showed His people how to live holy lives. These included:
- Making sacrifices to God alone; sacrifices to idols were not allowed.
- Not acting like the people in Egypt, where they used to live, nor like the people of Canaan, where the Lord was taking them. They were not to imitate their way of life.
- Staying away from spiritual prostitution, such as
- Sacrificing children to Molech (god of the Amorites)
- Trusting in mediums
- Trusting in those who consult the spirits of the dead
- Trusting in other gods for happiness, joy, peace, or a sense of belonging
Today’s Nourishment: Holy simply means, “separate.” That defines my new life as holy, separated unto Jesus who lives in and through me. Living holy is a completely new life for me—I now belong to Jesus, not as a slave, but as a daughter of the Lord. He says over you and me, “She’s mine, He’s mine.” A New Testament believer is called a Christ-ian, which means, “little Christ.” That is not to say that you or I am little Christ. Believers were first called Christians in Antioch because people noticed that they were acting like Christ.
“For you are bought at a price …” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
“You have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (see 1 Corinthians 1:2 NLT).
“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” (1 Peter 1:2 NLT).
The Lord has blessed my husband and me with six grandchildren. In July 2014, we had two grandchildren. Three came into our lives in August of 2014, who are soon to be adopted. The sixth is due in March. These grandchildren are mine. They belong to us whether by adoption or by birth. They live with total dependence on their parents and we get to take part in loving, nurturing, and caring for them. It is an honor to say, “You’re mine” to all our grandchildren, just as God says, “You’re mine” to you and me.
In what ways do you live as holy, as though you belong to Jesus, as though you are God’s very own?
Tomorrow’s Delight: Leviticus 22-23
Carolyn Marlowe, CCLC
Yes those regulations were for their own good. God loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. Even though we don’t live by these sacrifices and rules today (thank You Lord for grace) we do still live by certain standards that calls us to live holy lives unto Him. Bishop Tony Miller, a recent guest speaker at our church, spoke on how we need to de-throne ourselves( it’s not about us, it’s about Him) and consecrate ourselves (be set apart) for Him. Too often today the church looks and acts much like the world and not like Jesus. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'”
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at an early age as I’ve grown and been through things, the older I get more and more I ask myself if what I am doing is glorifying God or am I bringing shame to his name? Would he be pleased with my actions, attitude at this very moment? Yes, he told us to be holy, just as he is holy. No, we’re not called to be perfect but we should strive everyday to be close to him, to be like him. That’s my prayer, everyday. Thanks for this reminder, Carolyn.