Leviticus 22:32 “Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”

We have little understanding today of “setting apart as holy” (which is only given as a footnote in the NIV). Not so long ago we did tend to set some things aside for special use, and inviting someone into the “parlor” was an occasion of honor and formality. Today that room is called the “living room” or “den,” and there’s certainly nothing special in feelings about it. As far as architecture goes, that’s no big deal, but losing the concept of “setting apart as holy” is a loss indeed. In a sense it is saying, “this is holy because I say so, and I will use it for no unholy purpose.” Because we belong to God, it is His prerogative to do that with us, and that is what He is saying here. When He declares us holy, then we must be careful to live holy lives, not indulging in things we know make us unclean. That is a major factor behind the devil’s push against marriage, because he knows that sex in marriage is holy, but outside of marriage it cheapens and degrades, and he hates everything holy. He has tricked us into thinking the unholy is exciting and fun, when it actually leads to degradation and destruction. God has provided the blood of the Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, to cleanse us and restore us to the condition for which He created us, that is, His holy people. The message of the Gospel is that we can indeed be holy, whatever and however we have been before, and that should be good news indeed.

I’ve not understood the whole concept of holiness sufficiently myself, for most of my life, certainly, and probably not even now. I’m reminded of the lyrics to a Don Francisco song: “Holiness. It’s the Lord’s command, not the Lord’s request.” He has written a lot of good songs, but that may be one of the most important. I need to consider myself holy and teach others to do likewise, because God is the one who sets us apart as holy. That’s why repentance should be my lifestyle, because I have so many unholy things ingrained into me by years of thoughtless living. I am not to take myself too seriously, and certainly not forget to laugh, but I must remember that I am holy, and not do things that would violate that.

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. Thank You for the message You’ve given me for this morning. I pray that I would deliver it as a holy vessel in Your house, pouring out Your Word without dilution or distortion. May Your Word and Your Spirit accomplish Your will in each heart and life today, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!