1 The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for any of his people who die,
Leviticus:21:1,6 (NIV)
6 They must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the offerings made to the LORD by fire, the food of their God, they are to be holy.
Bottom line: You must be holy, for your God is holy.
Teaching
All born-again Christians belong to the family of God, a family of kings and priests unto the Lord. The Bible says:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
So every child of God must live a life free from all uncleanness and unholiness. This must be the earnest desire of a true child of God. God hates sin and anything that goes against His law and so should we.
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.
Romans 6:1-2, 6 (RSV)
We have been crucified with Christ and the body of sin is dead that we may live in righteousness. So every child of God is called unto a life of holiness. Just like God commanded the priests of old to keep away from certain things that He considered unholy, so does He also command us today to stay away from things that will corrupt our bodies, souls, and spirits. Some of which are:
- Alcohol
- Cigarette
- Drugs (cocaine, marijuana, etc.)
- Prostitution
- Pornography
- Sexual immorality
- And more
The Bible says;
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)
No unholy person shall see God. It doesn’t matter if you were once born again. If you do not live a holy life by keeping yourself away from all unholy practices, such as is listed above, you surely will not see God.
Further study
- 1 Peter 1:15 [But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;]
- Exodus 3:5 [“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”]
Reflection
- What other unclean practices can you add to the list?
- Are you struggling presently with a particular sin?
- Do you know of anyone suffering from such sins?
- How can you help them?
Prayer
Thank you Lord for making part of your holy family. Lord, I pray that by your grace working in me, you help me live a pure life before you and before men. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
