“I am THE LORD…your God; therefore, consecrate (qâdash: to dedicate, sanctify) yourselves and BE HOLY (qāḏôš: sacred, set apart), BECAUSE I AM HOLY.” (Leviticus 11:45)
What kind of advantage does “being holy”, give to us? “…one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live…When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people CRYING AND WAILING LOUDLY. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? THE CHILD IS NOT DEAD BUT ASLEEP.” But THEY LAUGHED AT HIM. After Jesus put them all out, He took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with Him and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “TALITHA KOUM!” (Which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). IMMEDIATELY the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this THEY WERE COMPLETELY ASTONISHED.” (Mark 5: 22-23, 38-42)
We live holy for God because, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a sound mind. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, according to the power of God, who has saved us and CALLED US WITH A HOLY CALLING, not according to our works, but according to HIS OWN PURPOSE and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:7-10) How does living holy benefit us? “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (by living holy), the works that I do HE WILL DO ALSO; and GREATER WORKS than these HE WILL DO, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, THAT I WILL DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I WILL DO IT.” (John 14:12-14) Because we are living holy we will not live selfishly!
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham