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Leviticus 20:7-8

Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.  Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

The word holy means “to be set apart.” It describes something that is not for common use but is dedicated and devoted to God. There are two critical truths found in our passage today. Let’s break them down.

Positional Holiness: On our best day with our best efforts we cannot make ourselves holy. It is the Lord “who makes you holy.” Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died on our behalf. When we trust in the work of Jesus as our own, God imputes or accredits Christ’s righteousness to us. Covered with the righteousness of Jesus, we are set apart, made holy, as sons and daughters of the living God. Nothing can ever change our position in Christ.

Practical Holiness: While our position is secure, we still have the responsibility to live a life that is set apart to God. We need to keep his “decrees and follow them.” Nothing can change our position of holiness, but we can choose to live a life that is set apart. Practical holiness is a partnership with the Holy Spirit. We ask him to control our lives (words, thoughts, actions) every moment of every day. The practice of holiness produces spiritual growth and fruit.

Both positional and practical holiness are critical to living a life that pleases God. It all begins by being set apart as his child and continues as we choose to live a life set apart to him instead of immersed in the world. Once our position is set, every day awaits a practical decision.

Father, thank you for making us holy. May we live a life set apart to you every hour of every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

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Read through the Bible this year:

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Today on The Journey Broadcast:

 

Overflowing: Fully Devoted