Holy. It’s a word so many are scared of and even more so- offended by. We struggle to define it and we struggle to live by it’s standard, and yet, it IS what we are called to.
Holiness isn’t something to be flippant about– We believe in and serve a Holy God who expects His Children to follow suit. In a day and age where holiness is often mocked, it can be hard to see why it is so important to pursue in a believer’s life. “What’s the big deal?”, we ask, “God loves us, He forgives us, what about GRACE???” And our flesh searches for ways to let our sinful nature off the hook…
“but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter:1: 15-19
The word “holy” is used over 120 times in the New Testament alone. In the Greek, it is: G40 (Strong’s) hagios and it means: sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): – (most) holy (one, thing), saint.
The most common meaning given today for the word Holy is ‘set apart’, which would be the same as ‘consecrated’.
Don’t forget to grab your free scriptures cards that accompany this devotional!
Why would God want us to be holy, set apart or consecrated?
In the Old Testament, when the priests would perform various tasks in the temple for worship and sacrifice, it is important to note that they couldn’t use just any old instrument laying around. If a knife was used for sacrifice, then it was made of certain materials for that purpose only.
A priest could not sacrifice a lamb and then sit down to dinner at home and cut his steak with the same knife. No, it was a special instrument intended only for the service of the Lord.
Likewise, if a goblet was used for wine in a ceremony, it was reserved only for that purpose. It was not just any old common household goblet, no. It was special, made by a particular artist, with great care and attention to detail for a specific use within the temple of the Most High God.
No ordinary plastic cup or utensil would do. No, often the articles were made of gold, silver, precious metals and gems.
These articles were not common and could not be used for a common purpose. They were considered HOLY. They were precious because their PURPOSE was precious.
My sister, when you gave your heart and life to Jesus, God ‘set you aside’ for His own special purpose. You are no longer ‘common’, you’re not like any of the other “instruments” out there anymore- you are considered holy. You can’t be used for any common purposes anymore — you have a calling within His Kingdom and His Great Plan!
There is now a specific purpose with which He is going to use you. In order for you to be used by God, you must allow yourself to become a “holy” instrument in His Hand. (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated). Because of the precious blood of Jesus, your life is no longer yours to do whatever you wish with. It now has been bought with a price. If you notice in the above verse, it says that we were redeemed from our ‘futile way of life’.
“Futile” is an interesting word. According to the Websters’ 1828 Dictionary, futile means: Trifling; of no weight or importance; answering no valuable purpose; worthless.
Isn’t that the TRUTH? Before Christ, my life held no weight or importance, it was of no valuable purpose.
My life wasn’t really producing anything significant at all. I was just selfishly moving through my days seeing what I could get out of this life for ME.
But after receiving my salvation, I began to see a MUCH bigger picture. An eternal picture. I saw souls that would suffer if they didn’t come to know Christ too.
I saw that I had a part to play in helping others to know Him more. The gifts and talents I had been given in my personality were meant to be used for His Glory. They were part of that eternal plan in ushering in His Second Coming. My life really DID matter.
And yours does too.
We must be willing to allow His purpose to become our purpose in this life. Then we will begin to realize WHY it is important to be physically pure, morally blameless and set apart for Him.
If we fail to recognize His Purpose in our lives, we will not see the need to be pure and moral. We won’t even try! But when you know that you are set apart, that you have a purpose to fulfill and a God who is expecting you to fulfill it- you become much more careful with your conduct!
The above scripture also tells us HOW to go about being holy. “Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth.” Whew- that’s a tall order!
Friends, just like the priests in the Old Testament who would never DARE use a common instrument for the temple duties, neither should we give ourselves over to the old common ways of life when the new life we have been entrusted with is SO much greater!
We must consider whether our lives are being used to glorify the One who saved us. And whether or not we are fulfilling His intended purpose for us.
For some, that purpose may be to travel the world and preach His Word. For others, it may be to raise children in His Kingdom and send them forth for His Glory. Another may be called to take to her knees daily and pray for world leaders. Still another, may be asked to stand and worship. Whatever our intended purpose is, it is clear that God wants His instruments to be set apart for His Use Only.
Consecrated unto Him.
Holy.
Let’s Pray:
Father, thank You for redeeming me from my futile way of life. Thank You for setting me apart for Your Purpose. Lord, show me my intended purpose in You and empower me to be used for Your Glory. According to Your Word, I am not common, therefore, I will not behave in a common manner. Use holiness in me to draw others to You, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Dive Deeper
THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES CAN BE STUDIED TO DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD. TRY STARTING A NOTEBOOK TO RECORD WHAT YOU FIND AND WHAT THE LORD SHOWS YOU!
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4
Words to pay attention to: chose, holy, blameless, his sight
I’ll see you next week with another Reflections Truth!
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