Through the Bible - Leviticus 13-15, Matthew 27
Good morming,
To start the week I had considered posting the words to the song "Take Time to be Holy" but I held off, feeling that the thought of "being holy" would give the impression of self righteousness or having a "holier than thou" attitude. But the song stayed on my mind as I read referenced other verses and quoted other songs.
If something is holy, it is set apart, as Christians we are set apart to God, for His purposes. One of the ways this shows or is evidenced in our lives is setting aside time for Him, to pray, to read, meditate on His Word and join together in worship. It is something we are called to do.
For today's verse we'll go to 1 Peter 1 where the apostle tells us bluntly that if Jesus has called us, He has called us to be holy
1 Peter 1:15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy." Holy Bible, New Living Translation
The preceding verses in the passage give us an idea of what this "setting apart" of ourselves, or our time means. Setting aside time for God, learning of Him will shore up our minds, make us more aware of what is going on in the world around us and give us grace to live as obedient children to God, not being conformed to the world, but formed by Christ.
13So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. 14[Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. - Amplified Bible.
In preparation for worship this weekend, I will not post the words of the hymn "Take Time to be Holy".
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Take some time to "be holy" this weekend, every day, let the world rush on.
A Future in God
So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."
You call out to God for help and he helps — he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.
Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. (from THE MESSAGE)
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