As I was reading yesterday's chapter for my Good Morning Girls Bible study, 4 words in all caps just jumped off the page at me!
HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD
Chapters 28-29 of Exodus are about God giving instruction concerning Aaron and his sons as to their role as priests.
God details everything! He gives instructions for the making of their priestly garments. He gives the exact design for their special jewel breastplate. He gives orders for the men to be consecrated for God's work. And He gives step by step instructions for the priest's duties for sacrifices.
I pondered over all this and the phrase HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD that Aaron wore on his head. I could not help but be reminded of God's perfect holiness.
The Lord brought back to my mind some Scriptures in 1 Peter that Big Brother and I had studied some during his Bible time this week. These are New Testament verses that remind us that God expects us as Christians to be set apart, sanctified, and consecrated to follow God in holiness.
"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1Peter 1:14-16)
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:5)
God through Christ has in a sense made all Christians "priests" in that we can all come before the presence of God and bring our confessions, needs, and petitions to Him directly. But in order to have the intimate relationship with God that our souls so need and crave, we must come to God in holiness.
We must set ourselves apart from all worldly desires, all fleshly lusts, and all selfish pride. It is only by God's unmerited grace and the shed blood of Jesus that we are able to be follow God in this path of holiness. Sanctification (or being set apart for God) is an ongoing process in the life of a believer. It does not happen over night or in one single instant. It is a daily process of becoming more and more like God and less and less like the sinful world around us.
So many people I know think of "holiness" as either a denomination name or as a certain style of dress. But true Godly holiness goes so very much deeper than all that!! Holiness is a lifestyle, a condition of the heart, an entire worldview that follows our holy God above all else! Holiness is an inward matter that cannot help but manifest itself on the outward being! :)
I am seeking God to help me to learn more about Him and to give me the grace and wisdom to follow Him in holiness!
God bless!!
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ReplyDeleteYes -- holiness is a requirement to approach the Throne of Grace. Praise God Jesus satisfied His wrath so that we could be clothed in His righteousness and have right relationship with Him. He has not left us to our own devices, merit, or ability. He is the all-sufficient God. Great post!
"Clothed in His righteousness alone,
DeleteFaultless to stand before the Throne!"
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God bless!! :)