CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 842

“Being Holy”

Lev 11:44 (ESV)   For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.

—————————————————————————————-

What comes to mind when you consider what it means to be holy?  Is it rules and regulations: ‘Don’t smoke, don’t dance, don’t chew and don’t go with girls (or guys) who do’?  Or is it a matter of how you look and dress: plain, somber, and without jewelry? Does being holy mean to be isolated in a religious commune or monastery, separated from this evil world?  How can we be holy as God is holy?

… I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. – John 17:14-19

Being holy means to live a sanctified life that is consecrated, dedicated, and set apart unto God. Holiness is one aspect of what it means to live seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  Being holy requires us to fit into day-to-day life in this world while remaining separated unto God.

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, ^“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” – Luke 5:30

Jesus fit in.  He was accused by the ‘holier than thou’ religious hypocrites of the day because He was seen in fellowship with sinners.  Being holy means to be salt and light in a dark world that is in need of salvation.  Fitting in also makes us a prime target for the enemy to seek to trip us up.

When you are encamped against your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every evil thing …Because the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy, so that he may not see anything indecent among you and turn away from you. – Deuteronomy 23:9-14

Our ‘camp’ begins with our heart, mind, soul and body and includes our homes, churches, workplaces as well as our nation.  Is God welcome in your camp or is He forced to turn away because of the impurity that you have willingly allowed to be there?

We should never tolerate any practice in our public and private lives, which is not in keeping with the holiness of God.  What off-color jokes do we listen to, laugh at, and perhaps retell?  How much profanity and immorality will we allow in our homes by way of what entertains us – and our children?  Can we ‘fit in’ in our places of work without dimming the light of Christ or losing our ‘saltiness’?

I appeal to you therefore … to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God … Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind… – Romans 12:1-2

Our camp must be transformed and renewed … every detail of our lives is to come under the scrutiny of a Holy God.  May you purify your camp and enjoy the peace, joy and protection of His Holy Presence.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psa 51:10