Holiness and Obedience

 

Lev. 22:31-32  “You must faithfully keep all my commands by obeying them, for I am the LORD.  Do not treat my holy name as common and ordinary.  I must be treated as holy by the people of Israel.”

How might one treat the Lord’s name as common and ordinary?  Aside from the obvious way we use His name in daily conversation, let me suggest to you today another way.  When we fail to live holy lives and still call ourselves by His name, we are bringing dishonor to Him. 

God is holy and His children are to be holy too.  Like Father, like son.  We treat those whom we love with respect by honoring them by the way we live in their presence.  Anytime we act in an unholy way we are bringing dishonor to His name.  If you truly love the Lord, you will strive to faithfully obey Him in all you do.

Notice the Word says we are to faithfully keep ALL of God’s commandments.  We can’t pick and choose which ones we want to keep.  We can’t dismiss any of His commandments because we think they are no longer relevant.  We must always strive to see how His Word applies to how we live and think.  Application varies with time and culture, but the truth remains the same and we must learn how to live in obedience to God’s Word. 

God has given us His Word to guide and instruct us in holy living.  He is holy and cannot have fellowship with an unholy people.  He has made a way for us to be holy through His written and living Word.  We have no excuse for not becoming a holy people.

The Lord our God is not common or ordinary.  He is holy and we must treat Him accordingly.