This week, the big news has been about Israel launching its campaign into Gaza to occupy the West Bank. Innocent Palestinians, some Christians have already been killed as Israel continues its unholy pursuit of dominating the Middle East.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has become obsessed with revenge and establishing an earthly kingdom at all costs. Israel and many of God’s people have forgotten their call to be different from this fallen kingdom:
- Power-hungry
- Unloving
- Uncompassionate
- Vengeful
Israel has forgotten their purpose and place in this corrupt world (Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 7:6). God’s plan for His people is for them to be different from this world that thirsts for power and temporary greatness.
The Lord planned for His people to lead this world back to Himself and His ways. His plan was for God’s people to trust Him, not themselves or earthly strength (Deuteronomy 1:29-31, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Psalm 20:7). Israel has forgotten to be God’s holy people (Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 20:26).
What Is Holy
Most people understand that things which are holy are sacred, but they neglect to understand what it means to be God’s holy people (Isaiah 62:12, 1 Peter 2:9). Holiness is a reflection of God and His nature.
Holy is defined as, “Exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness; having a divine quality.” God’s people are to be holy because we reflect a holy God Who saved us and set us apart from this corrupt world (Hebrews 10:10).
When I was younger, I didn’t understand my role as a child of God to be holy. I thought I was saved and free to live how I chose. But God doesn’t save us to rule this world; He calls us to be different from it (Romans 12:2-4).
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about being holy (1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16-19, Jude 1:20, Hebrews 12:14). Most of God’s people are aware that we live in a fallen and unholy world (1 Corinthians 2:14; 15:3; 6:19-20, Ephesians 6:12, 1 Timothy 1:9-10).
As God’s people, we are called to be holy and help reflect God in the world through our lives and ministry. We must be different from the world (Romans 7:6, 1 Corinthians 15:23, Hebrews 10:26).
God’s people are called to be and live holy in the darkness of this world (2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 22:11). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about being holy.
Qāḏôš
The Torah tells us when God created the world, everything was perfect and good (Genesis 1:1-31). At least until Satan deceived the first Adam and sin entered into God’s perfect creation and corrupted it (Genesis 3:1-6).
Man chose Satan’s lie over God’s holiness and goodness. The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for holy is qāḏôš, and it can also mean “Sacred, saint, Holy One, or set apart,” depending upon the context it is used in.
God called Israel from the darkness and corrupt world to be His holy people and help restore the world back to Himself (Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 14:2, Psalm 119:9). That is why Judaism emphasizes certain acts to help them to remain holy:
- Be ethical/moral
- Mitzvot
- Kosher diet
- Seeking justice
- Seeking truth
- Sacrifice
Unfortunately, even God’s people couldn’t obtain holiness by keeping the law and Jewish practices. So God sent His Son into the world to redeem it from the darkness and help His people to be holy (John 3:16).
Jesus paid the price for our sins and our unholiness (Romans 3:10; 6: 23, Ephesians 1:7). God’s people receive Jesus’ holiness when we accept Him as our only Savior (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 12:10).
We don’t get the opportunity to keep living like the world, because God calls us to be holy and to strive for God’s holiness (Matthew 5:48, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:7). God’s people cannot continue in sin or living like the world (Galatians 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26).
Chicago
In other big news this week, President Trump has threatened to send the National Guard and troops to Chicago and other US cities to help enforce law and cut down on violence, despite the crime rate already falling in many cities and despite governors and mayors resisting President Trump’s efforts to deploy troops to their states and cities.
Local leaders have already stated that they don’t need or want military force in the communities. Yet, President Trump is hell-bent on using his position to deploy military might as a show of force.
Like our Jewish forefathers and Israel today, God’s people want to use the ways of this corrupt world to rule it. Despite being a party of law and order, President Trump wants to be above the law to accomplish what he wants.
Sadly, many Christians and conservatives want to be more like this corrupt world than like our Holy God:
- Violent
- Vengeful
- Greedy
- Unforgiving
God gives us second chances to do what is right, not to continue in our selfish and sinful ways like this world (Isaiah 55:7, Jonah 3:1-2, John 8:10-11). After my accident, I needed to change my ways if I wanted to be devoted to God, instead of my flesh.
God’s holiness gives us the power and strength to do what is right, not to continue doing what we want (1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 5:16, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Peter 1:3). God’s holiness changes us from the inside out (Psalm 51:7-10).
As I look at the American church, I see too many brothers and sisters who have exchanged the good of God for the goods of this corrupt kingdom (Jeremiah 2:11-13, Psalm 106:20, Romans 1:25). Many want to be wealthy and great more than they want to be qāḏôš!
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