Leviticus is a practical handbook of instruction in practical holy living for the Israelite community.
"I am the Lord your God: consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (Lev. 11:44). Israel was called to be separate from the world - distinct and different. Essentially they were called to be counter-cultural in every way.
This call to be holy is re-affirmed in the New Testament saying, "To God's elect, strangers in the world... He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... therefore... prepare... be self-controlled... set your hope fully on the grace given... do not conform to [evil]... but just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do [are - being]" (1 Peter 1:1-16).
Holiness is more than being separate or not doing what others in the world do. It is also about being called to Someone. And it's a process of sanctification. Sanctification is a strange word to us today but it is simply making what is unclean clean and holy. The Hebrews of ancient considered everything either holy or common. Common things were categorized as clean or unclean. Common things could be made holy through sanctification. Unclean things could be made clean by washing and thus be made holy through sanctification. Sanctification was a joint effort between man through consecration and God as the sanctifier.
The Apostle Paul sheds new covenant light on this in Romans. All are unclean due to sin. The redemptive work of Jesus Christ washes (elevates to cleanness) and sanctifies (makes holy) the repentant sinner. This incredible work happens when one yields to the Spirit of God (Romans 6, 8). I think this is why Paul boasted only in the cross. It is at the cross where holiness and love are expressed is such a profound way. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). God is holy love. "Love is the way holiness communicates itself under the conditions of sin" (Clement of Alex.).
The truth is wherever holiness is spoken of in scripture, love is nearby.
In Christ alone,
Pastor Doug
