In Leviticus 19, “the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy”‘” (Lev 19:1). Like columns throughout the chapter, he punctuates every few verses with “I am the LORD your God.”
Maybe we’re not sure what God means by “holiness.” Take a look at how practically our Creator speaks:
- Revere your mother and father (19:3)
- Don’t turn to idols (19:4)
- Offer your sacrifices in the way I’ve told you (19:5-8)
- Provide for the poor and the sojourner (19:9-10)
- Don’t steal (19:11)
- Don’t deal falsely (19:11)
- Don’t lie to one another (19:11)
- Don’t profane my name (19:11)
- Don’t oppress your neighbor or rob him (19:13)
- Give the hired worker what you owe (19:13)
- Don’t curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind (19:14)
- Judge in righteousness, avoiding partiality (19:15)
- Don’t go around as a slanderer (19:16)
- Don’t hate your brother in your heart (19:17)
- Don’t take vengeance or bear a grudge (19:18)
- Love your neighbor as yourself (19:18)
“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” This is what the Creator told the descendants of Abraham. This is how he reasons with Christians.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:14-16)
Holiness isn’t some sort of an abstract idea that lacks real-life application. Take a long look at that list from Leviticus 19. That’s the way we ought to live this week. Why? “I am the LORD your God.”