Laws of Holiness

Scripture: Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them: Be holy because I, Yahweh your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:2

Observation: God states a lot of laws - some reiterating the 10 commandments, some new - and describes the observance of these laws as a method to be holy. These laws include ... Respecting ones parents; Keeping the Sabbath; Not worshiping idols; Properly performing sacrificing; Allocating parts of the food harvests for the poor; Not stealing; Not lying; Not oppressing others financially; Not dealing harshly with ignorant people; Avoiding giving preference in matters to either the rich or the poor; Avoiding gossip; Not hating others or harboring a grudge; Not taking revenge; Keeping the laws about livestock; Keeping all laws on sexual morality; Avoiding adopting pagan practices; Refusing to consult mediums and spiritualists; Honoring the elderly; Treating foreigners well; Not cheating others in business.

This is a full chapter that could be summarized as ... being holy - striving to be like God - is defined by how you honor God, and properly relate to each other.

Application: It seems that so often, understanding how to relate to God comes down to two elements.

First is faith - understanding that God is the all powerful creator, and Jesus is our Lord. This is honoring and worshipping and trusting and praying. Many don't understand this, but many do.

Second is action - exhibiting our faith by honoring God's creation and created, i.e., each other. We are to be nice to each other in all situations. Because we end up with different definitions of 'nice' God had to spell it out, but it's all the same. Many don't understand this, but many do.

And here's the rub ... as believers - disciples - we must understand both, not one or the other. There are non-believers who live to be nice to others. There are believers who lie, cheat, and oppress others. It is only a disciple who can be set apart from society by doing both.

I fear I fail to honor God's creation too often. I get angry, hold a grudge, seek revenge, lie. Some of these seem inconsequential because they aren't part of the "big" laws, or are even common practices in society. God clearly sees this different, and not just because these things hurt people. God states that we must love and respect those whom he loves, which is all created people. Breaking rules about how to interact with each other isn't about hurting others, it's about refusing to pursue God's holiness. Disrespecting others disrespects God.

I need to lock this thought in my heart.

Prayer: Lord, this is a timely lesson based on the tests coming my way in the next two weeks. There are those who are hard to respect, let alone love. However, they are your creation, and you love them. I will strive to practice holiness. Amen.