Set Apart As Holy

Tonight I was reading a bit of Exodus and a number of times God told Moses to instruct His people to cleanse or purify themselves so that they may be set apart as holy. God commanded them to do this so that they could enter the Tabernacle and, as a result, His presence as well. I wrote a devotional on the Tabernacle and the importance of the people to purify themselves before entering the Holy of Holies in an earlier devotional this year so I will not say too much about that, however I want to discuss what it means to be set apart for Christ.

Romans 12:1,2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This makes me think of how sometimes I try to rationalize my actions by saying, “Well it doesn’t say I can’t do this in the Bible.” However, I feel this is missing the whole point. Just because something is “acceptable,” doesn’t mean it is honorable to God.

As Christians, we are called to be the light in this dark and perverse world (see Philippians 2:15). God wants us to be a light for others to see the love He has for the world. If we are living in the world and not standing up for our faith or the convictions we have, we are hiding the light that Christ has put inside of us. If we are going to just slip into the world’s way of living and not stand out for Christ, then we are just wasting God’s gift to us! It’s similar to receiving a gift but never opening it… or receiving a gift at Christmas but never using it for what it was meant for. Think of how the giver must feel when we waste this gift!

Today I challenge us to stand up for Christ, let our light shine brightly for all to see, and not falter on our convictions.

Blessings,
Shannon

“Revolution” – Starfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZ437FddH8&feature=related