by Adam Johnson
"Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you." Leviticus 20:7-8
These chapters in Leviticus focus on the practical aspects of what holy living should look like in the promised land. The Lord made clear in no uncertain terms what would happen to them if they should fail in their obligations of obedience to God. He also clarified that these forbidden practices of evil were done by the people whom God was going to drive out before the children of Israel.
In these two verses God reveals one of His names to the children of Israel, Jehovah-M'Kaddesh. This name means, "The Lord who sets you apart." He brought the people out of slavery in Egypt to the destination of the Promised Land. God continually gave them reminders of who they used to be. Leviticus is actually often quoted in the New Testament not for the ceremonial reminders, but the practical reminders of holy living required by God - the God Who sent His Son to shed His blood to pay our ransom (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
In our everyday living we are not just to be living differently than those without Christ; we are to be living as "set apart to the Lord."
"Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for
himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:14
himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:14
Amen! Although we are no longer bound to the law, as Christians we are to "be like Christ". Romans 7 says that we are free so that we can be married to another...and that is Jesus! Still set apart, but through love for our Savior.
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