01/21/2021
If we are to dwell with God in eternity we must be contrite regarding our sins, and our spirit must be found humble. If we are unrepentant, and haughty how can we possibly be as Jesus is, and in this way we will fall short of God’s desire that we be holy as He is Holy. In the course of our faith why do we shy away from being identified as holy? Are we afraid that we will fall short of such a lofty expectation and title? Well, fear not!
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Isaiah 57:15 KJV
Being called to be holy is a frightening thing for most of us because we are so damaged by sin, and just as it was particularly worrisome for the Old Testament Jews who sought to obey the law of Moses, and subsequent commandments we are worried that we too might fail. Yet in so doing we sell short the power of Jesus to revive our spirits.
“For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
Leviticus 11:44-45 KJV
As Christians today, we are still called to be holy, but we are called to be holy because Jesus is Holy, and this point is driven home to us when even the demons He casts out in the synagogue knew Him as Holy. Listen how He is referred to in Mark chapter 1...
“And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”
Mark 1:23-24 KJV
So from the Old Testament to the New, Jesus is identified as being Holy, and in as much as He abides in us we too are meant to be called Holy... just like Him.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV
So rather than shy away from holiness we should pursue it. When we say that we want to be like Jesus in our manners, and ways, this includes much more than everyday living, or simply sitting at his feet and praising Him as Holy, it is meant for us to be holy even as He is holy. We are to do what we were called to do in both the Old and New testaments... sanctify ourselves, and be holy.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.”
Leviticus 20:7-8 KJV
Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from sin, and he intercedes for us always, but we have a part to play in our own salvation. We are meant to accept Him as our savior, and learn to be contrite, humble, and all the things that we see in Him. The Old Testament Jews worked at their faith by obeying the law, and we are meant to work at ours today too, but we have an advantage over them as we are seeking our holiness... we have the mercy and grace of God that flows to us through Jesus Christ. In this way our fear of failure in righteousness is mitigated, and holiness is within us just as Christ abides in us. Are we ready to seek, to pant after, and to grasp hold of holiness?
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””
1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for calling us to be holy as You are holy, and for securing that holiness for us through your grace which flows to us through Jesus Christ. Thank you Father for abiding in your Son as He abides in us, and for teaching us to be as He is, in every way. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God before whom we cry out that we are unworthy, even as Isaiah cried out “Woe is me!”, and for purifying us as you did his tongue. Praised be your name for sending Jesus to redeem us and lead us into a holy relationship with you. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that guides us and gives us understanding of your Word. You are merciful, and full of grace Lord! In you we witness the fullness of Holiness, and find our eternal home. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you, and greatly to be praised... now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes