Holiness

What Does Holiness DEMAND?

Leviticus 18:1–5 NASB95

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘I am the Lord your God. ‘You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. ‘You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the Lord your God. ‘So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord.

Following this instruction, God gives Moses a list of immoral activities that the nation of Israel, and all who lived among her, were to avoid.

After going through this list of items that were, evidently customs in Israel and/or Canaan, God sums up his expectations in the beginning of the next chapter.

Leviticus 19:2 NASB95

“Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

The obvious implication of theses scriptures is that there would be a DISCERNIBLE difference between Israel and the other nations.

The CHOICE of activities and actions that CHARACTERIZE our lives are under our control.

How are we DIFFERENT than the world around us?

Our ACTIONS, LANGUAGE, and OUTLOOK should be different from the lost world around us.

2 Corinthians 6:17 NASB95

“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.

2 Corinthians 6:14–17 NASB95

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.

What Does Holiness PRODUCE?

Holiness produces QUESTIONS

People will want to know why you live the way you live.

The world will notice when you stop living like them.

Holiness reveals ANSWERS

Acts 4:13 NASB95

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

People who have known you and see the difference will know that there is something greater at work.

Our holiness points to God’s holiness because it is His holiness at work within us.

Holiness demands COMPARISON

Acts 17:6

Acts 17:6 NASB95

When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;

Holy lifestyles stand in stark contrast to the ways of the world.

What Does Holiness COMMUNICATE about the Gospel?

No one is outside of God’s REACH

1 Timothy 1:12–16 NASB95

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:12-

If God can save YOU, He can save ANYONE!

The changes brought about because of the APPLICATION of the Gospel in your life proves His power!