“Be” Holy
A Church for the City Devotional
READINGS: Exo 29:1-21, 1 Pet 1:16, 2:5 & 9, Lev 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:26, 21:8
What was required for the priests of Israel to be holy? Start at verse one of Ex 29 and notice that the initial process is one of passivity for Aaron and his sons; this is what IS DONE to the priests, not what they do themselves. Moses did these things to Aaron and his sons at the time of their ordination. After their consecration (made holy) they were to conduct their lives in a manner that was befitting their consecration. God laid out restrictions and blessings that affected the way they were to live.
We are called to be a kingdom of priests (a royal priesthood) and we have been consecrated for this task with the sprinkling of the blood of the Sacrificed Lamb (Heb 9:13-14) and we have been anointed with the oil of the Holy Spirit (1 Jn 2:27), we have been washed in water for cleansing (Heb 10:22), we have been clothed with power from on high (Lk 24:49). It is God Himself that MAKES us holy. There is nothing that we can do to make ourselves holy before God. Our righteous works apart from Him are as filthy rags (Is 64:6)
In similar manner, the Lord has laid out restrictions and blessings that should control our lives as well. We can only BE holy when He makes us holy, but we should now act like it. This is only possible by the leading and convicting of the Holy Spirit and obedience to His word. We love Him and out of that love we desire to please Him in all we do and say. Let us BE a holy people that we may show forth the glory of God in our lives and demonstrate our love for the One who has set us free.
PRAYER:
Lord, Thank you for cleansing me from my sins and making me holy and acceptable before You. Thank you for the blessings You have given me by providing for my needs and giving me eternal life.
Help me to live my life in such a way as to be pleasing to You and one that honors You. Let me be sensitive to the leading and convicting of the Holy Spirit. Teach me Your ways and what is pleasing to You as I spend time in Your word, learning of You.
Don’t let me fall into the trap of pride when I begin to grow in obedience to Your word. Remind me always that my righteousness is from You, and You alone. Without You I would be lost in my sins. I love You and desire to obey all that you command. May my obedience spring from my love for You and not from my own prideful efforts. Allow Your light to shine through me so that I may be able to tell others of Your great love, Thank you Jesus.
