Daily Reading: Leviticus 11-13
I am the Lord who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:45
There is more to this chapter than eating right. These verses provide a key to understanding all the laws and regulations in Leviticus. God wanted his people to be holy (set apart, different, unique), just as he is holy. He knew they had only two options: to be separate and holy, or to compromise with their pagan neighbors and become corrupt. That is why he called them out of idolatrous Egypt and set them apart as a unique nation, dedicated to worshiping him alone and leading moral lives. That is also why he designed laws and restrictions to help them remain separate -- both socially and spiritually -- from the wicked pagan nations they would encounter in Canaan. Christians also are called to be holy. Like the Israelites, we should remain spiritually separate from the world's wickedness, even though unlike them, we rub shoulders with unbelievers every day. It is no easy task to be holy in an unholy world, but God doesn't ask you to accomplish this on your own. Through the death of his Son, he will "present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" (Colossians 1:22).
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
"Be holy, because I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15,16
Keep reading -- 322 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
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