Choose Holiness

Bible Study Holiness

Leviticus 19:2 ESV

Mark 16:15 ESV

Holiness in the Biblical sense means set apart or consecrated.

In Leviticus 19:2 the instruction given to the children of Israel said, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”

We might wonder why God considered holiness to be a vital part of our faith.

It actually makes perfect sense.

The old saying, “you are what you eat” also applies to our social interaction. In other words ‘you are how you think and who you spent time with.’

As a people called to “go into the world” (Mark 16:15) we are instructed to spread the Gospel message. Most of the time in today’s culture that is successfully accomplished by being in the world without being of the world.

Even without speaking we can spread the word of God be being children of God. The very act of being different through God’s holiness can identify we are followers of Jesus. In today’s world that can refer to the way we speak and the words we use, the way we interact with kindness and caring, and the choices we make with others.

I once knew a man years ago who forever changed how I view holiness. I was a young adult when I knew him.

When he looked at me I saw Jesus in his eyes.

When he spoke about Jesus his words cut me to the core.

His words were few but I learned more from him than I learned from a lifetime of sermons.

His name was Charlie.

He was a construction worker.

His hands were rough and damaged by years of working outside.

He was set apart from the world. He was holy by the grace of God.

He was a man of few words but when he spoke I was moved by the Spirit of God.

The day I first met Charlie I learned that anyone from any occupation can be holy and set apart.

I was twenty when I met Charlie but decades later I remember his words. I remember how I felt God in his words. I remember his holiness and love.

Many decades later I remember meeting pastors and spiritual directors who gave good advice but u words didn’t offer the same holiness of God.

I am reminded to be holy as Jesus is holy.

Deborah

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