The Right Stuff

The other morning, while having “Coffee with Jesus”, as I like to call it, I was reading in the book of Leviticus. Not because I’m scholarly or deep, mind you, but because that’s where my “Read the Bible in a Year” plan took me. There, I ran into a most convicting verse: “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.” Upon further review, I found that this verse was also reiterated in the New Testament, in  1 Peter 1:16…” for it is written: “Be Holy, because I am holy.” In Leviticus, it was Moses writing the words God had spoken to him. Simon Peter was quoting this scripture over a thousand years later when writing a letter to persecuted and suffering Christians. While the followers Moses spoke to were under the old covenant/law, Peter’s readers were under the new covenant and the grace and power that came upon them through Christ’s death and resurrection. 

“Be holy, because I am holy”. God is still saying that to us today.

Yet there’s not much emphasis on holiness these days, is there? In fact, the word ‘holy” has, in many cases, a negative connotation and is often used in a derogatory manner, such as “Holier than thou”. And indeed, “Holier than thou” is biblical and is no compliment; it speaks to self-righteousness, not the holiness God calls us to that comes from Him! 

When it comes to holiness, a lack of understanding makes sense for those who don’t believe in the Lord Jesus. But it’s also not something we hear about much in many American churches if we’re honest. Holiness has seemingly been replaced by self-help, ear-tickling sermons, and twisted theology that edges out God and exalts ourselves. Lies about moral relativism, “my truth” and other such nonsense have permeated many of our churches. 

God says, “Be holy.”

In my humanity, it begs the question: “How, God? You know my depravity! My sin struggles, my constant merry-go-round of confessing and committing sins! How can I possibly be holy?”

Fortunately for us, we have a patient, merciful, and loving God who doesn’t give us commands, and then leaves us here, wringing our hands, clueless as to how we will pull off the holiness He requires. No, He provides everything we need to be holy!. All we have to do is surrender to His ways. His will. His word. Sounds easy enough, right? It’s actually not.

 Pride stands in the way of surrender. What people might think stands in the way of surrender. Fear stands in the way of surrender. Entitlement. Anger and frustration. Past hurts. Mistrust of God and others. The list goes on.

 What stands in the way of your surrender?

 The path to holiness has mile markers, and on those mile markers is written “Surrender”.  My plans, my pride, my sin, my will. As I surrender those things, God transforms me from glory to glory. Molds me into His image all the more. Refines me to look and behave more like Jesus! To be holy, as he is holy. 

2 Peter 1:3-4 says this: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” If we are in Christ (having received him as our Savior and Lord), we have this divine power at work within us! 

When we received Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins, we were justified. Some like to remember it this way: “Just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned”. It’s a clever way to remember a word that we don’t use that often these days. 

The process of sanctification, however, is one that takes place over time.  It’s the refining, the molding, the tearing down, and building up that happens as we surrender to God Almighty and walk in obedience to his will, his ways and his perfect plan. It’s a selfless walk that esteems others higher than ourselves. A love that bears with others and overlooks an offense. It is radically different than and superior to the idea of “me first”. Instead, it says, “He first.” As in, “He first loved me, so I want to love Him with all that is within me. And then I want to love others.” 

Lord, please help us to surrender to you. God, you are trustworthy and true and you do all things well, even when we don’t appreciate or understand it. Father, please bring us into a deeper relationship with you, through prayer, reading of your word, and songs of praise. Holy Spirit, draw us near and give us a sensitivity as to when repentance is needed and counsel and comfort us in our hurting. God, help us to release to you the things we cannot explain, trusting that you hold all things in your loving and capable hands. May we grow to love you more and more each day. To stand in awe of your mighty power and strength and to also soak in your grace, mercy, and love as we know you better. In Jesus’ name, amen.