Dear readers, I’ve learned some wisdom this past week that I would love to share with you if you are willing. If not, then you might as well close out of this post now.
Have you ever heard the phrase “Holier than thou”?
It’s not typically used in a good way, it’s normally something that is said towards someone who is stuck up, a stickler on the rules, or super christain-y.
Me personally I have had this phrase thrown at me before, and it never feels good.
A part of my testimony was and still is understanding that because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross I do not need to live a life of perfection.
I grew up very religious. I loved to follow the rules, and call out those who were more rebel-hearted. I thought God expected His children to be perfect, and as far as I knew I was doing alright.
I learned that a massive part of being a follower of Christ means that we won’t have perfection here on earth. That was a characteristic of Jesus, the only ‘Good Person’ to ever walk the earth. When He died he eliminated the need for us to be perfect and pure before His Father.
Yet, let’s go back to the word Holy.
What does it mean? How ought we use it? Why does 1 Peter 1 tell us that “…we ought to be Holy as He is Holy”?
Let’s take a step back. When you think of the word Holy what do you think of?
I thought of God. Perfection something, I won’t reach here on this earth.
A definition of Holiness that I found is “Unique, sacred, set apart.”
A bit of a history lesson for ya here, but the first thing that was declared Holy in the Bible was The Sabbath Day in Genesis 2:3. The Day God rested on was sacred and set apart in a way that He did not work on it. And He instructed the Israelites to do the same.
The second time was the burning bush that was declared as Holy Ground, due to it burning bright with God’s presence in Exodus 3:1-6.
If you study through scripture you will find that many things are able to become Holy.
People: Leviticus 8:1-10
Places: Ezekiel 42:13
Things: Exodus 40:1-10
Time: Leviticus 23:1-2
These things can be considered Holy because they have a close relationship to God, who is the ultimate source and definition of holiness.
Really think about this for a second. God’s holiness is so pure and good; it actually possesses a paradox for humans living in a world ruined by sin.
God’s holiness cannot be in the presence of sin.
This is where Jesus enters into this amazing narrative. He was God in human form, and when he enters into the story the first thing he begins to do is touch people who were considered unclean and unfit to be in God’s presence.
Back in the old testament, if a priest had any sin within him and he entered into God’s presence he would immediately die. So the fact that Jesus went out and did this is quite shocking.
The bleeding woman, the lepers, the dead boy, Jesus comes along and restores them inside and out.
Jesus established a new temple, a place where God’s holiness meets with his people and changes them forevermore. We are that temple.
Jesus left so The Holy Spirit could come and make His home inside of us, now that we are the new temple, a place declared Holy and set apart, we ought to look different from the unholy world around us.
The Apostle Peter shows us that we are now called into walking with a Holy posture.
In 1 Peter 1:13-15, he tells us “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
Now we know that the term Holy isn’t a bad one. Yet we’re not the Pharisees.
The Pharisees were men who took God’s law and followed it to a tee. And made sure everyone knew that they were doing so.
Jesus was our perfect example of Holiness. He was set apart, in a way that was noticeable, but also humble. He did not ask to be the center of attention, but God blessed his ministry in order for the Gospel to be shared effectively.
I now exhort you.
Holiness is within you. You are forgiven and freed by Jesus’ blood.
Live like it. Holy and set apart in all your ways.
You will be rejected and mocked for it.
But so was Jesus.
And I think He lived the most successful life on this earth to this very day.
Until next time,
-Mitchell
