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Holiness: Do or Do Not (part 2)

Continuation from this previous post (click here)

Holiness is a life of freedom of exploring God and imitating Him. I will never measure up...but that's ok. The journey is the best part.  So what does a life of holiness look like? 

I believe that a life of holiness has it's sole focus on becoming more like Jesus.  When we focus on becoming more like Jesus...the things of the world will grow "strangely dim".  When we put our focus on "not becoming like the world"....I believe Jesus becomes "strangely dim".  Let's stop focusing on what we should not do....and focus on what we should do.

For example. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like my Dad.   My Dad is an amazing man.  I'm 34 years old now, but I still want to be like him.  He is the most kind, generous, loving individual I know.  What if instead of imitating my Dad....I instead focused on not being like the other Dad's in town?  Does that make any sense?  What if wanted to paint a portrait of my Dad?  Would it make sense to look at all the other Dad's in town and see how different they were from my Dad?  No, right?  The same way...stop looking at the world to find what to avoid.  Focus on Jesus and be Holy!  

To be holy is to be set apart.  It is to be different.  God is high above everything and everyone.  Nobody can compare!  Be holy in your Love as He is.  Be holy in Compassion as He is.  Be holy in Patience as He is.  Be holy in Forgiveness as He is.  Be holy in your Mercy as He is.  Be holy in your Faithfulness as He is.  Whatever you see God do or be.....Be holy as He is Holy!  When we look to God we see the ultimate example of holiness.  When we have this attitude it will be clear the things we should do.  

Let holiness be true and present in all of us.  Let us be different from the world in every way!  The world is unloving, uncompassionate, impatient, unforgiving, unmerciful, unfaithful!  Be set apart!  Be different!  Imitate your Father in Heaven and be holy. Don't say "I won't do that because that's what the world does."  Do say "I will do this because this is who my Father is!"

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. (Ephesians 5:1) NLT

Holiness: Do or Do not?

The command is clear.  God expects us to be like Him.  He expects us to be holy.  Here are two examples from Scripture.  

“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." Leviticus 19:2 (NIV)

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

But what exactly does this mean?  How can I be holy?  God's Holiness is the very thing that separates Him from......well everything.  This command is quite the tall task.  It's one that I believe has been interpreted in the negative all too often.  However...it's not a negative command at all.  

I often hear people speak of holiness as a list of rules that must avoided.  Don't go to movies.  Don't smoke.  Don't drink alchohol.  Don't dress that way.  Don't curse.  Don't watch TV.  Don't listen to that kind of music.  Don't use new technology. etc.  The list can go on and on.  This kind of "holiness" is a life that has it's focus on what you do not do.  It's exactly what the Pharisees did in Jesus day.  

A life of holiness does separate from those things that are not like God.  However, for many, though the journey of holiness, has become a satisfying life of self righteousness.  It may be very easy to define one as a "Good Christian" by what one does not do.  Is this the kind of life that God wants us to live? Does God want us to be known by what we avoid?  Does God want us to be known by our rules?  Don't get me wrong...there is plenty of things we should not do.  But are these don't's keeping us from a life of saying yes to the do's?

I speak from experience.  I lived a life of legalism.  I thought that by keeping a certain list of do's and dont's....I was ok.  I was a "person who pleased God".    Well....that only goes so far.  What naturally happens is that the list continues to gets bigger.  You add more rules to the list.  Your list may have included even some of your preferences.  You know....those things that are not etched in stone...but are the way you think it should be.  Then your preferences turn into "truth" for everybody.  You don't watch PG movies....so nobody else should either.  You prefer classical music and hymns so you then think that everybody else should as well.  And if anybody dares disagree with your list....then they are not holy.  Hmmmmm, does this sound familiar?   Is that what God said?  Be holy so everybody else can be holy like you?  That was me.  Is that you?

Holiness is a life of freedom of exploring God and imitating Him. I will never measure up...but that's ok. The journey is the best part.  So what does a life of holiness look like? (to be continued)