Be Holy...

Why?
Leviticus 11:1-12:8

"I am the Lord your God. Keep yourselves holy for me because I am holy." (Leviticus 11:44)

Because God is holy. Do we need any other reason? Our Lord God in all His greatness displays His holiness in everything- His graciousness and mercy and forgiveness and the beauty of His creation. Loving our Lord and wanting to honor Him, it is only natural to want to imitate His holy character... to set ourselves apart as His. He is the Lord our God, after all. May I be holy and acceptable to You in all I do, Lord.

How?
Psalm 25:8-15

"The Lord is good and right; he points sinners to the right way. He shows those who are humble how to do right, and he teaches them his ways. All the Lord's ways are loving and true for those who follow the demands of his agreement." (Psalm 25:8-10)

Being holy? As sinners, how are we to accomplish such a feat? Well, our Lord will show us and teach us. Through the Bible, through prayer, through brothers and sisters in our faith, God will lead us to this holiness. We only need be humble- asking for God's guidance toward a more holy life... pure and set apart and pleasing to Him.

When?
Mark 2:1-28

"Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, 'The sabbath day was made to help people; they were not made to be ruled by the Sabbath day. So then, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day." (Mark 1:27-28)

As I've been trying to observe the Sabbath this year, I've been so blessed and truly experienced that it was made to help us and not that we be ruled by it. It is a great blessing from God... to rest and pray and reflect on the Lord in that day... on His great blessings and take time to feel His peace... a break from the routine. Still, it is not meant to rule us... that we can't do anything. And the Lord who calls us to be holy, calls us to follow Him on this day... helping those who need it, reaching out to others, serving others... all to the glory of the Lord, the Lord of the Sabbath.