The Holiness of God and the Call to Holiness" (Leviticus 11:44-45)

Text: Leviticus 11:44-45

"I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy."

Introduction:

Leviticus is often seen as a book of law, distant from the practical application of the gospel. However, Leviticus reveals profound truths about the nature of God and the nature of our relationship with Him. In Leviticus 11, God calls His people to holiness because He is holy. This call to holiness is not just for Israel, but it’s a call that echoes through the ages to the Church today. As Christians, we are called to be set apart, to live lives that reflect God’s holiness, to be an example to the world around us.

I. The Nature of God’s HolinessHoliness is the essence of who God is. He is utterly pure, separate, and distinct from all creation.

In Leviticus 11, God establishes specific laws about clean and unclean animals as a way to demonstrate His holiness. These laws are not arbitrary; they are a reflection of His divine purity and a guide for His people to emulate His holiness.

Holiness is not just a characteristic of God; it is His very nature. His holiness requires us to approach Him with reverence, respect, and purity.

II. The Call to HolinessGod’s call to holiness is not just about external behavior but about internal transformation. The Israelites were called to consecrate themselves, meaning to set themselves apart for God’s service.

For Christians, this call to holiness means that we are not just to avoid sin, but we are to actively seek God and His righteousness in our lives. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and to live lives that reflect the character of Christ.

Holiness is not an optional aspect of the Christian life. It is the very foundation of our identity as God's people.

III. Living in the World, But Not of ItGod calls His people to be holy while living in a world that is far from holy. This is the tension of the Christian life. We live in a world that is broken, fallen, and filled with sin, yet we are called to be set apart, to live lives that reflect the holiness of God.

This requires intentionality in our relationships, our choices, and our values. It’s about living differently from the world, not out of pride or arrogance, but out of gratitude for God’s grace and holiness.

IV. Christ as the Fulfillment of HolinessJesus is the ultimate example of holiness. He perfectly fulfilled the law and lived a life without sin. He is the standard of holiness that we are called to imitate.

Through His sacrifice on the cross, we are made holy in God’s sight. Our holiness is not something we can achieve on our own, but something that is granted to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

The call to holiness is not a call to legalism or perfectionism; it is a call to reflect the character of God in our daily lives. We are called to be holy because God is holy, and because He has made us His own. Let us embrace this call, not in our own strength, but through the grace of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we live holy lives, we reflect God’s glory to the world around us, drawing others to His grace.