Hi
I don’t know about you, but back in the day I used to categorize Christians in some horrible ways (sorry K-K, I was so mentally mean to you). I remember calling some ‘Holy-righteous’ in a very derogatory way, despite being a Christian myself. But holiness ought not be an epithet hurled at someone for their choice of obedience to Jesus. Especially not from a fellow believer. Today’s Holy Nougat offers us clarity on holiness.
“For you are a holy people to ADONAI your God—from all the peoples on the face of the earth, ADONAI has chosen you to be His treasured people.” Deuteronomy 14:2 TLV
So here are the Children of Israel about to enter the Land of Promise and they are receiving sundry laws and directives from God. Amid the delivery of the commands comes this one seemingly random statement – remember who and Whose you are; set apart By God’s choice for God’s glory. Some would say that that’s cause for excitement and perhaps even getting a bit arrogant, and it may well be so. But it doesn’t suggest that we ought to treat others with scant regard because of God’s choice.
For holiness here speaks to being called out, chosen by God for God’s good pleasure. The one who accepts that as their identity should not be subjected to ridicule. Especially not by others who’ve been set apart in like manner!
With that being said, I remind us that our state of ‘holiness’ is slightly different. Our holiness is tied to our acceptance of Jesus being the enfleshed fulfillment of God’s promise. And, while our Great commandment is to Love – God, self and others – we have zero guarantee that we will receive love in return. In fact, Jesus proposes that the opposite will occur; He even suggests that being persecuted is a blessing!
Now, let’s get this straight, acts of holiness don’t make us holy. Not at all. Our actions tells others that we have accepted who it is that God has called us to be. For us under the ‘new Blood covenant’ made through Christ, holiness begins with acceptance. Acceptance of who we are – dwellers in this realm; possessing citizenship in the Other. (We’ll reflect on that next time, I promise).
Whatever today brings, might we bask in the knowledge that God chose us, and we are adopted into God’s special fellowship because we accepted Christ’s offer. Yes, we are Holy. Holiness is a great way to live (as are acts of holiness). We needn’t be ashamed of our holiness; for it’s proof of our chosenness! In Christ’s love and grace . . .
