What is Holiness?

 오늘의 말씀

 

신명기 26:16-19 (쉬운성경, NASB)

 

16. "오늘 여러분의 하나님 여호와께서 이 모든 규례와 율법을 지키라고 명령하셨소. 마음과 정성을 다하여 그것을 부지런히 지키시오.

"This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul.;

 

17. 오늘 여러분은 여호와를 여러분의 하나님으로 인정하고 여호와께서 원하시는 대로 하겠다고 약속했소. 여호와의 규례와 명령과 율법을 지키고 여호와께 복종하겠다고 약속했소. 

"You have today declared the LORD to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, HIs commandments and His ordinances, and listen to HIs voice.

 

18. 오늘 여호와께서도 여러분을 주님의 소중한 백성으로 받아들이기로 약속하셨소. 그리고 여러분에게 여호와의 모든 명령을 지키라고 말씀하셨소. 

 "The LORD has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments;     

 

19. 여호와께서는 그가 지으신 다른 민족들보다 여러분을 더 높이실 것이오. 여러분에게 칭찬과 명예와 영광을 주실 것이오. 여호와께서 약속하신 대로 여러분은 하나님 여호와께 거룩한 백성이 될 것이오." 

 and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the LORD your God, as He has spoken."

 

 

 ARGUMENTS GO BACK and forth, but what is holiness, really? Is it being obedient in every instance? Is it cleaning up your act each day so you look perfect to outsiders? Is it following the rules and never missing a beat? The word for holiness in the Bible means "to be separate" or "to be given over to special use." It's like those special dishes Mom brought out on holidays. They were "reserved" for "special use." She never set them out on ordinary days, only on the most sacred holidays and important celebrations. In that sense, holiness means we as Christians are reserved for God's use and blessing. We are "set aside." We're in God's cupboard and He only employs us in His kingdom activities. We're not to be used for ordinary work and events. What does this mean in practical terms? It means you exist for God's use exclusively everyday. You're completely dedicated to serving, loving, and worshiping God. Of course, that doesn't mean you don't have a job, a family, or a home. But it does mean wherever you are, you're serving God by working with excellence, by putting Him first, by responding to His leading. Are you truly holy in this sense? Are you walking close and seeking to serve God wherever you are? That's the true brand of holiness all Christians are called to follow.

 

Mark Littleton

 

Demonstrate true holiness today; serve someone in love.

 

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