Holiness and Obedience
1. In Leviticus 20:26 is found one of the most foundational truths about the believer’s relationship with God. What has God done for us, and how are we to respond?
In the context, the Lord commanded Israel to be Holy, the reason? Because God is Holy. Read what the Lord has done? He seperated the Israel among everyone, He did that so that these will be His own possesion, His own. Similarly, in the new covenant, the people of God is His church, those who repented and put their faith in Christ was commanded by the Lord because is Holy, and at the same time, we are God's own possesion, His children. With all of these privileges we received because of His Holiness enables to obey what He commanded us, and that is to be Holy.
NOTES: God has set us apart from the rest of the peoples on the earth to be His. We are to respond by separating ourselves from all that displeases Him and by giving ourselves to Him in worship and service.
2. In Leviticus 22:31-33, the same truths that we discovered in Leviticus 20:26 are revealed to us with even greater depth. What has God done for us, and how are we to respond?
What God has done to the Israelites is to brought them out from the slavery and from the power of Egypt. The Lord is the one who sanctify them, meaning the Lord is the one who purify the Israelites. Well, if we apply these verses to the new covenant people, one thing is for sure, it is the Lord's doing that we are pure, He is the one who enables us to walk with holiness. So the respond? Keep the Lord's commanadment.
NOTES: The word “sanctified” comes from the Hebrew word qudash, which means, “to set apart or consecrate.” God has sanctified us to be His special people. We are to sanctify the Lord (i.e. set Him apart above all) by keeping His commandments. The word “profane” comes from the Hebrew word chalal, which means, “to defile or pollute.” To break God’s commands is to profane His name. The foundation of God’s claim upon Israel and the reason why Israel should have honored Him was the fact that He had re-deemed them from the bondage of slavery in the land of Egypt. How much more should we honor God, who has redeemed us from the bondage of sin by the blood of His own Son?
3. It is important to understand that the admonition to holiness is not just an Old Testament idea or standard, but it is also found throughout the New Testament. Write your thoughts on the following texts. How should we respond to God’s holiness?
a. II Corinthians 6:16-18
First of all, The Lord challenge the church with a question, what agreement you have with the idols? and then the Lord reminded the church that they are the temple of God, that the Lord dwell within them. Because of this, the Lord, concluded that we should come out from anything unclean, anything that is sinful, anything that have to do with the idols. He commanded us to seperate from them. Look at his promise, the Lord will welcome you and you will be called his children.
b. II Corinthians 7:1
Here, Apostle Paul connects us to the promise the Lord mentioned in the previous verse. This promise of God must enables us to cleanse ourselves from every defilement, or should I say anything that makes our soul and body unclean meading us to sin. We have the responsibility to be Holy, pursue perfect holiness with the basis of fearing God.
NOTES: The word “body” comes from the Greek word sárx, which in this context probably refers to our physical bodies. The phrase “body and spirit” refers to the totality of who we are. We are to strive to cleanse ourselves of every kind of sin in every area of our lives— thoughts, attitudes, words, and deeds. The phrase “bringing... to completion” is translated from the Greek verb epiteléō, which means, “to complete or accomplish.” The phrase “bringing holiness to completion” refers to our growth in personal holiness. Negatively, we cleanse ourselves from the sin that defiles us. Positively, we strive toward greater heights of holiness or conformity to God. The motivation for this is not only the love of God mani-fested in our redemption but also our fear or reverence toward God.
c. I Peter 1:14-17
If you notice, there's reference of being an obedient children. Peter said that like an obedient child do not copy again the foolish things you are doing before when you are not in Christ. He then directs us to be Holy, and the reference of our walk of being Holy is God's Holiness. Since you have the knowledge of God impartial judgement, judging everything perfectly ccording to your work, this thing should lead us to fear him even before, specially if we are going to be in different places.
Challenge:
Why It is important to be Holy? Or to walk with Holiness?