Tuesday, 12^th December 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: HOLINESS

THEME SCRIPTURE: “And 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

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Why does God demand holiness from His children?
2. Can God’s children live holy lives in a post-modern world?

The Holy Bible introduces us to the Triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), who is characterised by perfect holiness. In Revelation 4, we are given a glimpse into the celestial throne room and a glimpse of the events that take place there. John vividly narrates the magnificence and splendour of God’s throne. In the perfect essence of God's divine nature, we learn in verse 8 that “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” This is what theologians refer to as the Trisagion (the Thrice Holy God).

Holiness is God’s nature; it defines who He is. God's holiness is at the heart of His relationship with His children.

In Leviticus 20, we see that God gave Moses a series of instructions to strengthen Israel's commitment to worship and their relationships with others. He expressly forbids idol worship, encourages the honouring of one's parents, sentences married people who commit adultery to death, and forbids incestuous relationships. In verse 26, we learn why God requires exclusive worship and purity in all forms of human relationships. “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” This highlights the separation of Israel from all people unto God. God chose Israel to be His own special people, as evidenced by God's call to Abram in Genesis 12. The call of Israel was a complete separation from the heathen, who had no regard for the Lord and prostituted themselves through various idol worship. God communicates to Israel in this context that, having called them to be His own special nation, He expects them to live in holiness that reflects His nature. Because of their association with the thrice-holy God, Israel was expected to have distinguishing characteristics in their way of life. Their devotion to God was to be total and unwavering; this was the only way the world would know that Israel was unique.

Beloved in Christ, in much the same way that the Israelites were called out, so are born-again Christians called out by God (1 Peter 1:16–17).

The greatest and most important thing that can ever happen to anyone is to be regenerated and become a child of God. It is God's decision—the Triune God—to choose you and lavish His royalty on you. He chose us out of darkness to proclaim His praise through our mouths and lives (1 Peter 2:9).

Dearly beloved in Christ, the need for Christians to be holy and exhibit qualities that set us apart from others in this post-modern world cannot be overstated.

In a world where holiness is an exception and not the rule, God is calling you to uphold holiness in all your dealings because He who called you is holy. The world is a dark place, in need of Christians to shine forth God’s light in character, at home, in our marriages and family lives, in the church, at the workplace, and everywhere we find ourselves. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. It is in bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit that our God is glorified in the way we model holiness to the world.

 

FURTHER READING – Psalm 46

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so  

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. What does it mean to you to be holy and why is it so important to the Christian?

 

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, together with the heavenly host we affirm in worship holy, holy, holy are you God Almighty and the earth is full of your glory. You have no equal in your majesty and power. I receive your Holy Spirit’s enablement to be holy at all times, in praise of your holy name in Christ Jesus, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Job 14; Habakkuk 1; 1 Peter 2