If I am correct (which doesn't happen very often with me) the literal meaning of holiness is to be set apart. With this in mind, a call to holiness, is a call to be set apart...for what? As I prepared for tonight's devotional (God became flesh), I found that a primary reason for God coming to pitch his tent among us is to allow intimacy. Throughout the OT, God's people learn about God (only a few seemed to really know Him), but with this divine invasion, God makes Himself known to the masses (see Jer 31:34).
The invitation to Holiness, seems to be an invitation to exclusive intimacy. Know me, Love me, Imitate Me, be holy because I am Holy. Jesus calls the people to a place unattainable by the righteousness of the Pharisees. A place only dreamed of by the prophets of old. This priviledge is made available to the weak who have never known any priviledges, yet hidden from those who have grown accustomed to a life of priveledge and power. Maybe the whole call to holiness is simply a valentine from God that reads, "Be Mine".
If we truly accept this invitation, then what we view as holiness (the outward evidences of Christ living in us) will flow out of us.
Please continue to comment, or Dave, if you would like to make just a slightly longer comment than your last one, I can go ahead and make a powerpoint for it and I will have my sermon.
Thanks.
7 comments:
Jesus wept.
Wow, for a moment, I started reading my post again to see what "Jesus wept" had to do with anything, then I realized...I hurt your feelings didn't I. I'm sorry.
But seriously, I always appreciate every word of your comments and take them very seriously, so please bless me with a plethora of them (or pinatas).
I think you are on a great track Drew. I don't know if I have anything direct to add, but I do have these from my brothers blog that really help show how God's righteousness, justice, and mercy all work together to show His holiness.
http://neoancient.net/article.pl?sid=05/12/08/1547202&mode=thread
http://neoancient.net/article.pl?sid=05/12/09/1628227&mode=thread
http://neoancient.net/article.pl?sid=05/12/11/0536245&mode=thread'
It is not all entirely on topic, but I think it is very thought provoking.
I think the idolatry and the self-righteousness of the 1st century had the same root problem. They did not trust God for salvation, and they used God as an excuse to keep people from the kingdom. The idols allowed oppresion. The law allowed judgment.
There is my random comment on all of that. I hope you can use it in your next sermon. Sorry I didn't check your blog this past week.
here's something I was wondering about that maybe we could talk about sometime
you kind of touched on it a bit when you talked about be holy as I am holy
I understand how we are called to be holy, to be set apart
but how is God supposed to be holy?
why do we call him holy so often you know?
It's like what is God set apart from, isn't he everywhere?
Isn't he apart of his creation?
just seems kind of paradoxal you know
maybe I'm just looking at it from the wrong perspective
Clay, I want you to know that I wrote a very long reply to your comment, but it didn't get saved, but I would love to talk with you about this more.
Oh, you didn't hurt my feelings. I was just being snarky. And then I drove to Texas, so I kind of got distracted. I'll work up a good long one for you.
Thanks for rubbin it in Capn. So you're in Texas AND you are getting snow...La di freakin da.
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