November 10, 2019 am
Lights in a Dark World
(36)
HOLY IN ALL YOUR CONDUCT
Our
theme this year has addressed how we are to be lights in the midst of
this dark world. Our
emphasis has been about how we need to let our lights shine in every
aspect of our lives, that is, be a proper example in all things.
As
we begin to bring this theme to its conclusion, this month I was going
to address several specific moral issues.
But time will not permit that due to scheduling, so I am going to
present here a general lesson that will address every moral issue we
face. Then next year, as a
part of my schedule, I plan to address these varying issues in specific
detail, on the 4th Sunday of each month as part of our
ongoing study of problems we face as Christians.
Today, I want to talk about holiness and how that factors into our
example in every aspect of life and every decision we make.
a.
What is holiness?
According to the Dictionary of Bible Themes, “The quality of God that
sets him utterly apart from the world, especially in terms of purity and
sanctity.”
When we think of holiness, what usually comes to mind is purity and
being set apart – as in being distinct from the world.
In the Hebrew language (OT), the word most often translated “holy” means
to be pure, clean or free from defilement…”
In the New Testament, the words “holy”, “saint” and “sanctify” are all
based upon the same root word meaning “holy.”
For us, as Christians, it is associated with reverence and
godliness. We have a profound awe and respect for God that causes us to
seek purity in our lives so that we can be in His presence.
Psalm 15:1-5, Psalm 24:3-4, etc.
b.
Where does holiness
begin?
With God. 1 Peter 1:13-16,
Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:1.
He often referred to Himself as, “The Holy One” –
Isaiah 1:4, and more than 25 more
times in that books. 1
Samuel 2:1 – Hannah’s prayer, Psalm 99 3 times proclaims, “He is Holy”
(vs. 3, 5, 9)
Holiness under the
Old Law –
If you want to understand holiness, study the Levitical priesthood.
There are many things found therein that help us understand what
God expects of us in the realm of holiness.
While we are NOT under the Old Law anymore, it was written for
our learning (Romans 15:4).
When we are called upon to be holy (and we are), we can study what
holiness was in the Old Testament.
i.
From the very outset of
the giving of the Law of Moses, and even prior to that, with promises to
the patriarchs, it is clear that God intended to create for Himself a
nation that was holy – separated from the world, AND pure in its
conduct, based upon God’s standard.
ii.
Moses was on “holy
ground” at the burning bush. Exodus
3:4-6 – Moses was told to take of his shoes because it was holy ground?
What made that ground holy? Likely it was not chemical structure
of the dirt. It was the
presence of God that made it holy.
iii.
Exodus 19:6 – a kingdom
of priests and a holy nation.
iv.
Consider Israel at Mt.
Sinai – Exodus 19:10-12 – instructions for the children of Israel to
consecrate themselves.
Boundaries were put up around the mountain, warning the people that if
they touched it, they were to be shot with an arrow.
Vs. 17- Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God.
Again they were warned not to touch the mountain.
Vs. 22, the priests were to consecrate themselves.
v.
The book of Leviticus - written to govern the priesthood and regulate the PURITY of
Israel. While often avoided
or passed over because of its technical details about various sacrifices
– when and how to offer them, instructions about purification, the
purity of leaders, etc., an understanding of this book was crucial for
the purity of Israel AND UNDERSTANDING purity in the presence of God.
It is said that when children were being raised among Jews, the first
book they were taught in synagogue was Leviticus.
That is because of its dealing with holiness (being set apart,
and purity).
The priesthood was about purity – we find consecration and the shedding
of blood to purify priests.
They had very strict instructions.
Foods offered as sacrifices were permitted to be eaten by them - All
the males among the children of Aaron may eat it. It shall be a statute
forever in your generations concerning the offerings made by fire to the
Lord. Everyone who touches them must be holy.’ ”
(Leviticus 6:18.
Consider Leviticus 10:1-3 - I must be regarded as holy – spoken after
Nadab and Abihu were burned to death.
This explains HOW SERIOUS this is to God.
In the book of Leviticus you find moral laws – about pure behavior; laws
of cleanliness (including dealing with contagious diseases); and even
dietary laws (which animals could be eaten – and we know why most of
these were permitted or forbidden).
All of this has to do with purity.
vi.
The tabernacle was a
pure place – built with 2 chambers requiring washing before they could
enter. Within the tabernacle
we have the holy place, and the “holy of holies” – Hebrews 9:3 (Exodus
26:33). These were designed
according to God’s pattern.
Consider the expression, “Holiest of All” (NKJV, KJV).
The expression literally means, “holy of holies” or the holiest
place. What made that second
chamber more holy? It was
where the Ark of the Covenant was, where the High Priest would go to
meet with God to atone for the sins of the people.
Everything about the priesthood, sacrifices and the tabernacle was
designed to emphasize the holiness of God AND the need for those who
approached and served Him to be holy.
a.
The command to be holy –
understanding the holiness of God, consider 1 Peter 1:13-16.
We are called upon to be holy, even as He is holy.
That is an awesome thought.
Romans 6:19 – present your members as slaves of righteousness for
holiness
Ephesians 4:24 – put on the new man which was created according to God,
in true righteousness and holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7 – this is the will of God, your sanctification,
that you abstain from fornication…God did not call us to uncleanness,
but in holiness.
The book of Hebrews, which deals with how everything about our
covenant is better, appeals to various elements of this holiness for us
to apply and learn from – better sacrifices, a batter priesthood, a
better covenant, a better tabernacle, a better hope, etc.
Hebrews 12:10 – God chastens us, “for our profit, that we may be
partakers of His holiness.”
Hebrews 12:14, Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without
which no one will see the Lord:
Romans 12:1-2 and the
command to presecnt our bodies as living sacrifices, goes back to God’s
holiness. That is what
sacrifices were about.
b.
When we are holy as God
would have us to be, we will be reflecting the light of the gospel.
By default we will be shunning darkness. Philippians 2:15 – we shine as
lights in this dark world.
Matthew 5:16 – we glorify God.
People will see God in us.
They will see that we are different – cf. 1 Peter 4:3-4, etc.
c.
If we are striving to be
holy, in every area of life we will be concerned about how we are
perceived. That is, how the
world sees the holiness of God reflected in us.
i.
Via social media
ii.
Ask, Should I go to this
dance? Is being popular with
my peers more important than being acceptable to God?
iii.
Ask, Should I be
drinking, even socially?
What about marijuana? Even
though it is legal, should I be partaking?
Considering how such hinders my sobriety.
iv.
Ask, Is what I am
wearing consistent with God’s pattern of modesty?
Am I pressing the line?
Does my choice of wardrobe provoke lust?
v.
When I am watching
television, on the internet, etc., is that which I am watching conducive
to holiness or ungodliness?
Of course there is the outright immoral content (pornography, ungodly
movies, blasphemous shows, etc.), but there are other things that just
portray the world as being wonderful as it is.
vi.
Does the relationship I
am in matter? Does God
recognize this marriage? Am
I engaging in fornication? (An act which at its very foundation destroys
purity – cf. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.
vii.
Ask, should I be
gambling? Should I be participating in the lottery? Conduct that is
associated with covetousness and other sins.
viii.
WILL I seek fellowship
with the ungodly? Ephesians 5:11, 2 John 9-11, etc.
Unequivocally, IF we desire to let our lights shine, it will have an
impact on EVERY area of our lives.
If we are engaged in unholy conduct, we are NOT being holy and
God’s light is hidden at best.
Don’t hide your light.
How does His Holiness govern your decisions?
Think about it.