Holy unto the LORD

They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and inscribed it like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to the LORD.”  (Exodus 39:30)

Some would have us believe that holiness is about where you can or cannot go; what you can say or cannot say even what you can or cannot wear.  Whether it's a skirt above your knee, an open toe shoe, red lipstick or a doily on your head, the idea of being holy is much more than this. We as believers should not stand in the way of sinners (go where they go, do what they do), or let corrupt communication proceed from our mouths. EVERYTHING we wear should be modest, considering that we are the temple of God but our holiness is not predicated on what we are able to find (on sale) as an acceptable garment at the department store.

So then, what does it mean to be holy? 

The Old Testament Hebrew words for holy are:

Qadowsh: sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart and

Qadesh: apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness

The New Testament Greek words for holy are:

Hieros: sacred, consecrated to the deity, pertaining to God
Hosios: undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious
Hagios: most holy thing, a saint

In the seam of all of these words there appears to be one common thread, and that is, "something or someone being set apart, different".  This leads me to believe that holiness has a lot to do with God setting apart someone or something for a His purpose.

The Free Online Dictionary says,

“to be set” means to: put in a specified position, to restore to a proper and normal state when dislocated or broken, to adjust according to a standard.
“apart” means: at a distance in place, position, one from another, aside or in reserve, as for a separate use or purpose

The Israelites were God's chosen people. He set them apart from every other people, to be His very own. He had plans for them.

Let's look at Exodus 19 verses 3-6 together.

... 3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

From this passage of Scripture I have extracted 3 things that I believe God wants us to know about holiness:

1.     He separated us from sin and brought us to Himself. We cannot achieve holiness apart from Him. (v4)
2.     When we obey and walk in His ways, it keeps us separate from the world and we're identified as special. (v 5)
3.     And also as we obey, we live as a separate nation a kingdom of priests, unlike any other. This speaks of authority, privilege and the Father's hand of favor on us as believers. (v6)

This was a proclamation God made to the Israelites and we see the same proclamation given to believers in Christ (1 Peter 2:9, 10). What determines our holiness is the position we choose to live our lives from. We can either be conformed to the ways of this world or live holy (set apart) from the ways of those in this world system. You have a choice to think like, sound like, and act like the world or you can be a holy nation. We are in this world but we are not of it.

I thought it was interesting that God had the children of Israel make a crown (gold plate) called the "Nezer" to be worn on the head of the priests. This gold plate had the inscription "Holy to the LORD".  Could it be that God wanted it at the forefront of their minds as a reminder for that person and a mark for everyone around him to know that He had chosen that particular man for a holy task. We too have been given that mark through Jesus Christ.

YES, WE ARE HOLY, DIFFERENT, SET APART.

This is the holy life God wants us to live. One that is set apart for Him. When your heart is in the right position toward God, ALL that you do will be done with careful consideration. When you realize that He has called you to be different, that's what you will strive to be. No one will have to tell you how to present yourself because you know that you are holy unto the Lord and HE tells you what is acceptable to Him. Whether it's your clothes, possessions, conversations, or associations, take a good look in the mirror and see God's reflection on your forehead. Then go forth today in His holiness.

Daily Declaration - I AM HOLY

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 1 Peter 1:15, 16 (NASB)