More than just a few times the Word of God teaches that we are to live holy lives, separating ourselves from our former self-serving lives of sin. For instance, consider the Word of the Lord:

• Leviticus 11:44 says, "For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy".
  
• Lev 19:2 says "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy."
  
• Lev 20:7 says "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God."
  
• Matt 5:48 says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
  

The question is what is holiness? It appears that holiness is living a life set apart from the world's influence and separated from sin while being yoked together with Christ. In essence, holiness is righteousness in action.

Holiness is not based on outward appearance, although your outward appearance will most definitely reflect the Righteous One living within.

Holiness is not a rigid set of do's and don'ts, although one walking in holiness will refrain from all appearance of evil and do all as unto the Lord.

Living a life of holiness is the duty and should be the desire of every Christian. We should strive to be holy in all manner of conversation, in every area of our lives, toward all people, in business affairs, and in all circumstances, when we're prosperous or otherwise.

"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)

We are to imitate God and God is holy. He is perfectly, unchangeably, and eternally holy; and we should desire to be like Him.

The Word of God will lead us and guide us on our path toward holiness. The Word of God is alive and is able to cut away from us all that which is unpleasing in the sight of the Lord. Read it and accept its convicting power; follow it and give God the glory due His name by living a life holy unto the Lord.

Father, my desire to live a life holy and acceptable to You grows day by day. The words of a simple chorus we sing at church come to mind:

"Take my heart and form it.
Take my mind and transform it;
take my will and conform it to You.
Holiness is what I long for;
Holiness is what I need.
Holiness is what You want from me."

Help me be pleasing unto You. Lord; help me to be holy even as You are holy…amen.

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24)

© Jan Ross
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