Applying What We Have Learned

Shortly after Israel was redeemed as a nation, what was God's desire for them?  (Exodus 19:6)

What New Testament parallel do we find?  (1 Peter 2:9)

What is the purpose of our holiness?  Look again at 1 Peter 2:9 - "that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you...."  (emphasis mine).

God's call to holiness is primarily found in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus.  (See Leviticus 11:44 as an example).

Jesus echoes this call to holiness in Matthew 5:48.  ("perfect" = complete, to reach the goal for which you were created)

What do you think of when you hear the word "holy"?  When someone is described as "holy"?  How does this compare to what the Bible calls holiness?

Let's focus our attention back to our topic.....The name of the LORD is a strong tower.  The name of the LORD is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem.  The name of the LORD is the LORD who sanctifies you.

How is this name a strong tower for you?  Have you tried and failed to live a holy life, to be holy?  Look at the name again....The LORD who sanctifies you.  The liberating truth is that it is God who sanctifies us, who enables us to live a holy life.  (See 1 Peter 1:2-3)

How does this impact my daily life?  Sanctification does not come from keeping the Law.  There is no sanctification without redemption.  God's way is not, once we have been redeemed, to take us out of the world, but to take the world out of us.  Look at 2 Timothy 2:21.  God does the sanctifying......we don't sanctify ourselves by keeping some list of do's and don'ts.  But because I have been redeemed and sanctified, because I have been declared/made holy by God, I now will choose to set myself apart (and even the will to do this comes from His sanctifying Holy Spirit, prompting me to pursue holiness.)

Ponder the words of this old hymn, then ask yourself some questions:  Are there some "lesser things" I should have done with?  Am I pursuing holiness?  Do I need to make some changes in my choices?

Rise up, O men of God!

(Note:  this is for "women of God", too!)

Have done with lesser things.

Give heart and mind and soul and strength

to serve the King of kings.

"A holy life will make the deepest impression.  Lighthouses blow no horns; they just shine."

(D. L. Moody)

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

(1 Thessalonians 5:23)