What Does It Mean To Be Holy?

"Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.'" Leviticus 19:2 What does it mean to be "holy"? First, let's look at what it does NOT mean. A person who is holy is not one who goes around somberly performing religious rites. A person who is holy is not one who adorns his body with religious jewelry, crosses, rosaries, or medals. A person who is holy is not one who is always grim and gloomy. A person who is holy is one who has been called out of the world to be among a people set apart to God. One is accounted holy when he/she is born again. Being born again sets one apart from the rest of mankind. In the Temple, there is a golden cup which is holy. That means that cup is unlike all cups, it is set apart for holy use. A person who is holy, is one who has been set apart from all others. A person who is holy is one who does not follow the crowds, who does not live according to the culture and traditions of man. A person who is holy is simply one who abides in the Word of God, feeding daily on his Word, and giving heed to all he has said. A person who is holy is one who has surrendered himself and his life to his Creator. That does not mean that he dwells in some cave somewhere. On the contrary, the person who lives surrendered in love to his God - this one will lead a more exciting and satisfying life than any other. To follow Jesus is quite the adventure. One never knows what he will do next. "Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. SO IS EVERYONE who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:7-8 "So is everyone…" The Holy Spirit is likened to the wind. You hear it and you see the effects of it, but you can't see where it starts or where it ends - it's totally unpredictable. "So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." That person lives in surrender to the Lord, and that means that the Lord will be directing every aspect of his life. The Lord will nudge him to speak to this one, encourage that one, go to a certain place and wait for direction. He needs always to be in the right place at the right time. It's exciting because when one gets up in the morning he has no idea what the Lord's plan for that day will be. "So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." That person lives in the realm of the supernatural, witnessing the things the Lord will say or do through him. The joy in that is like no other. To be "holy," is a choice one makes to be separate from the world, separate to his God, always watching and available, willing for the Lord to change his plan for the day, willing to respond to whatever the Lord sets up. A person who is holy is always mindful that he represents Jesus Christ to an unregenerate world, willing to be that light in the darkness so that the Lord can draw unbelievers by the light they observe in that person who shines in the darkness. A person who is holy loves the Lord with all his heart, and loves people - always drawing them to escape from "the world" and to joyfully surrender to the God who brought them into the world and has a plan for their lives, if only they will enter in. That's what holiness is. It's not religion. It's relationship. It's joyful surrender. It's an unparalled adventure.