What does it mean to be holy? To be set apart? Sanctified? And who makes us holy, sets us apart, and sanctifies us in the first place? Let’s check out today’s passage.

Exodus 31:12-13
And the Lord said to Moses, “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.’”

Yahweh Makaddishkem — The Lord Who Sanctifies. The word “sanctify” means to “set apart” or “make holy.” That is something only God can do.

We are sinners by nature. Our inclination is to walk away from God. Worse than that, our desire is to be our own god. It is our sin that separates us from the Lord and places on us the penalty of death—not just physical death but spiritual death—an eternal separation from God. There is nothing we can do on our own to become clean and to be holy, so God sent Jesus to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. God is the One who chooses us, cleanses us, and sets us apart for his own. It is God who fills us with his Spirit and allows us to grow and mature in our relationship with him. He alone is Yahweh Makaddishkem—The Lord who sanctifies you.

Have you trusted in Yahweh Makaddishkem? Have you come to the point in your life where you realize that you cannot cleanse your heart and make yourself holy? Do you understand that your best works are never good enough to earn a position with God? God sent his Son to take on himself the penalty of your sins. Jesus went to the cross so that you could be cleansed and forgiven. He died so that you could live. Today, you can trust in Jesus and, through him, enter into a personal relationship with Yahweh Makaddishkem. If you desire to have that personal relationship, I invite you to pray the following prayer.

Heavenly Father,
I desire to be cleansed. I desire to be forgiven. I desire to be set apart as your child. I acknowledge that I am separated from you. I know my best efforts on my best day cannot earn a relationship with you. Right now, I trust in Jesus as the One who paid the penalty for my sins on the cross. Through Jesus, I desire to know you as the Lord who sanctifies me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, let us know at prayer@ronmoore.org. We’d love to help you get started on your spiritual journey.