Live Set Apart—Holiness to
the Lord
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly
for himself: the Lord will hear
when I call unto him. Psalms 4:3 (KJV)
Let’s examine being
separate—living lives that are set apart to the Lord.
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is
enlarged. 12 Ye
are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. 13 Now for a recompence in the
same, (I speak as unto my
children,) be ye also enlarged. 14 Be
ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? 15 And
what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel? 16 And
what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will
receive you, 18 And
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:11-18 (KJV)
Having therefore these promises,
dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV)
Now
that we are in Christ and no longer lost, we are changing into the image
of Christ. We are separating from our old nature day by day and are
being transformed by the renewing of our mind in the Word of God and from
glory to glory in Christ! This issue is one of action, my desire and prayer is
that you see how the Lord has created us to be separate, set apart to Him and
just how essential this is to our Christian lives. It is not a subject to just
throw to the side and forget and it is certainly not a small theme in the
Bible.
I
am not saying that we are to live a monastic lifestyle in an effort to become
Holy: it is unscriptural to completely cut yourself off from contact with the
world for your whole life in effort to become Holy. As we mature in Christ,
there are aspects of our flesh and our old way of doing things that we need to
throw off and cast away. The reason being this: sin separates us from
God and whether we like it or not we all have sin that comes up between us and
God in the form strongholds, chains, and blindspots even after we’ve come to
Christ. Jesus forgives our sin at the instance we accept Him, but some sins
remain a problem until they are dealt with through a pruning process.
Consequently, we will all come to a point in our growth where there is one
thing that we have to deal with and separate from to continue moving forward in
Christ. You are called to be not only a Holy People and a Royal Priesthood, but
also a Peculiar people to the inhabitants of this world, living as strangers
here in reverent Fear of the Lord. As you read, I encourage you to open
yourself up to the Holy Spirit’s voice and listen.
Read these verses slowly and
listen for what the Lord is speaking to you.
Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither
his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But
your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid
his face from you, that he will
not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2 (KJV)
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through
God to the pulling down of strong holds 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called
you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had
not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation
honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,
they may by your good works,
which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:9-12 (KJV)
But as he which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye
holy; for I am holy. 17 And
if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to
every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.
1 Peter 1:15-17 (KJV)
