A People Holy

“You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” “ For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” “He will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and… you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.” Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2; 26:19

“You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation… You shall be consecrated to me.” Exodus 19:6; 22:31

“You only have I known
    of all the families of the earth.” Amos 3:2

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

The call is distinguished, the identity drastic, the enabling divine. When God called Abraham to become the father of His people Israel, He had in His mind a people set apart for Himself. As Moses approached the burning bush to receive God’s call to lead Israel, the Lord identified holy ground. His meeting with men is always wrapped in the sacred and marked with His holy anointing. God’s children have been named and marked as holy, and are to take on and express that identity by reflecting and proclaiming His excellencies in every area of life. (Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 3:1-6)

Imperfect man holy? What is impossible with man, when originated, orchestrated, and commanded by the Almighty, is wholly possible, and exquisite. The feat is accomplished by the very Holy One who calls for it as His Spirit works in and through us His children. (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17; Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:13)

Christians are identified, chosen, and called into a covenant relationship. We are saved by the blood of Christ which, by remission of sin, pronounces us holy and righteous. We’re then sealed by the Covenant Keeper, who installs His Spirit to guarantee His outcome, our holiness and escort to life eternal. Along with His He shalls we cooperate with our you shalls to bring about His purpose and fulfill His design. (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:13-14)

How seriously do I take God’s command to be holy? What habits and pleasures have I withheld from His sanctifying touch? Where will I surrender anew today?

“Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.” ~William Longstaff (1882)

Faithful LORD, who from the beginning has called, complete in me all You’ve begun, to the glory of Your name and magnification of Your excellencies. (Isaiah 41:4,8-10,13; Philippians 1:6)