In the sacred scriptures, the call to holiness resounds as a divine imperative. Leviticus 20:7 echoes the divine proclamation, urging believers to set themselves apart as holy because the Lord, their God, is holy. This sacred separation entails a refusal of entanglements with the world, a theme reiterated in the New Testament by James, who starkly declares the incompatibility of friendship with the world and friendship with God.
The Sacred Call to Holiness
Leviticus 20:7 – A Divine Declaration
The foundational call to holiness is rooted in Leviticus 20:7, where God articulates His desire for a consecrated people. This declaration lays the groundwork for understanding holiness not as an option but as a sacred covenant requirement.
The notion of holiness in this context is deeply intertwined with the idea of being set apart for God’s purposes. It is a transformative process that involves both separation from what is considered profane or unclean and dedication to what is pure and pleasing in the sight of God.
The call to holiness is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of an individual’s life, including thoughts, actions, and interactions with others.
James 4:4 – Friendship with the World
James, in the New Covenant, reinforces the call to holiness by emphasizing the impossibility of simultaneously pursuing worldly pleasures and maintaining a close relationship with God. The language used underscores the severity of the choice presented to believers.
In his epistle, James cautions against the double-mindedness that comes from trying to serve both God and the world. He writes, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). This stark admonition highlights the incompatibility of worldly desires with the pursuit of divine wisdom and grace.
James further stresses the need for purity of heart and action. He calls for believers to submit to God, resist the devil, and purify their hearts, not being “double-minded.
In James 4:8, the scripture emphasizes, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
This verse serves as a call to sincerity and a wholehearted commitment to God. It warns against the instability of being torn between worldly desires
The Bluntness of Separation (2 Cor. 6:17)
The urgency of holiness is further emphasized in 2 Corinthians 6:17, where God’s message through Paul is unequivocal. Believers are called to leave corruption and compromise permanently, refusing any association that may taint their spiritual purity. This blunt directive underscores the exclusivity of the divine relationship.
God’s Desire for Purity: Insights from Peter
1 Peter 1:15-16 – A Divine Standard
Peter, echoing God’s desire, sets a high standard for believers, exhorting them to be holy in everything they do. This divine expectation is grounded in the nature of God Himself, who chose believers as His children and commands them to reflect His holiness.
As it is written in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” Peter’s call to holiness is not a suggestion but a mandate, a compelling charge to live a life set apart from sin and dedicated to God. This holiness is not an attainment of human effort alone but is made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live in righteousness and true sanctity.
The pursuit of holiness is a journey of transformation that aligns the believer’s will with God’s will. It involves a conscious decision to forsake worldly desires and to embrace a lifestyle that honors God.
Peter understands that this call to holiness is challenging in a world that often rejects godly standards. He encourages believers to persevere, reminding them that their conduct not only glorifies God but also serves as a testimony to those around them. As believers grow in holiness,
Cleansing for Divine Dwelling (2 Cor. 7:1)
The weight of God’s promises, particularly the promise of dwelling among His people, heightens the significance of holiness. Paul, recognizing this, urges believers to cleanse themselves from all impurities, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The fear of God becomes the driving force behind the pursuit of purity.
Holiness in Practice: A Contemporary Perspective
The Message Version’s Poignant Call
The Message version of 2 Corinthians 6:17 adds a contemporary flair to the call for holiness. God’s desire for believers is presented in vivid terms—leaving corruption and compromise, avoiding pollution, and embracing an exclusive connection with the Almighty.
Navigating the World with Holiness
Living in the world while adhering to the call of holiness poses a challenge. The Scriptures guide believers on how to navigate this tension, emphasizing separation from corrupting influences while remaining salt and light in the world.
One of the key principles for believers is to be in the world but not of the world. This means engaging with society, showing compassion, and serving others, yet not conforming to the worldly values that conflict with spiritual convictions. The Apostle Paul in the book of Romans admonishes Christians to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of their minds, so that they may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Bible Study Verses Recommendations
- Leviticus 20:7 (NLT): Delve into the Old Testament to understand the foundational call to holiness and its implications for believers.
- James 4:4 (NLT, NIV): Explore the New Testament perspective on the incompatibility between friendship with the world and friendship with God.
- 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NLT): Reflect on Peter’s exhortation regarding the divine standard of holiness and its connection to God’s nature.
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 (THE MESSAGE): Grasp the contemporary urgency of holiness as presented in The Message version, emphasizing the exclusivity of the divine relationship.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV): Investigate Paul’s call to cleanse oneself from impurities, understanding the correlation between holiness and the fear of God.
Conclusion
The call to holiness reverberates through the scriptures as a divine mandate, a condition for experiencing the fullness of God’s promises. Leviticus sets the stage, James reinforces the principle, Peter expounds on the divine standard, and Paul underscores the seriousness of the condition.
As believers navigate the tension between the sacred and the secular, the call to holiness remains a guiding light, illuminating the path toward an intimate and exclusive relationship with the Almighty.
