Be Holy

Today's RCA lectionary reading was Leviticus 19:1-2; "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy."
God's people are to be like God in their conduct of life. One becomes practically holy by observing all the negative and positive commandments given to us in the holy scriptures. These teachings impact every sphere of one's life. Holiness is the essential nature of God. The term holy means "set apart, unique and distinct" and holiness in humans ordinarily refers to their being set apart for service to God. "Human holiness is the imitation of God, i.e. becoming and acting like God." (ESV study Bible)

It is important to remember that we seek holiness of living not to earn or merit salvation or love from God but we do so in thanksgiving for the salvation and love which God has given to us. Ours is not a works righteousness salvation but a salvation gifted to us by God. It is also most helpful to know that we receive gift of Holy Spirit from Jesus when we trust in Jesus. Holy Spirit then works with our spirit in our quest to be holy like the LORD our God.

Sometimes we feel like one of the characters in Come Rain or Come Shine, who prays,:"Hey, God can you drive, I am runnin' this thing in th' ditch."

And from another character, "Always after something more, us humans. Always after something more." Now maybe that is okay if it is the things of God that we are after but usually it is the things of earth that we are pursuing.

From the poet Rilke, "believe in a love that is being stored up for you like an inheritance, and have faith that in this love there is a strength and a blessing so large that you can travel as far as you wish without having to step outside of it." I think he was trying to describe and encourage an idyllic human love between two lovers. Surely this type of love is a fitting description of God's love for us humans.

One more quote adapted from Dr. Seuss by another character in the above mentioned book:
"Just be who you are, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."