HOLY OR UNHOLY

HOLY OR UNHOLY?

When God chose the children of Jacob (Israel) as a special people to be an example to the ungodly tribes that inhabited the world of that day, He gave them some clear instructions.Many of these instructions are found in the writings of Moses. I would like to direct you to one such passage in the book of Leviticus, It is chapter 10, verse 10 "that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean". To put it in context you need to read the whole chapter, especially verses 8-11. God is giving very explicit instructions to Aaron the high priest about keeping clear of some things that would defile him, or make him unclean for service to the Lord.

In (1 Peter 2:4-10), we understand that God considers all born again believers to be part of His "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (vs 9) since Jesus said he did not come to destroy the law, but only to fulfill it then we know that the principles laid down in the OT apply to us in the NT age. This principle of holiness and living a separated life from the world system is certainly one of these.

There has been a lot of confusion in the church as to the real meaning of holiness. Most people associate it with a list of do's and don'ts, or in other words a very legalistic attitude towards outward actions. True holiness must begin on the inside with a change of heart by a real "born again" experience. Outward observance to a certain code of conduct enforced by some religious system will never accomplish holy living as outlined in God's word. We are told in (Lev 11:45) "For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall be holy for I am holy." The world system is for us what the land of Egypt was for them. Salvation literally means separation "from" the world and separation "to" the Lord. Paul tells us in (Col 1:13) that "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love". Let us consider Paul's exhortation in (Phil 2:15) "that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world". That is certainly good advice, and would be my prayer for each of you today and everyday, as you follow Jesus!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer