A situation in my life got me to thinking about holy stuff... you know, which are holy day? What are holy places and/or holy things? Who are holy people?
The first thing I did was re-think the word - "holy." Since it is a word primarily derived from Biblical sources, I went there. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew root word which is translated "holy" is a word that means "pure, devoted, and/or dedicated to a specific use." In the New Testament Greek, the word we translate as 'holy' means to be "venerated or separated from the common for God's exclusive use." Then I read a few more passages that used the word, holy. I found that in the Old Testament, especially in the books of the Law, the discussion primarily centers around establishing a distinction of both place and people. The tabernacle and Temple were specifically holy sites. They were exclusively used for the ongoing rituals of worship and were the symbolic center of God's dwelling place on earth. Later in Jewish history, Jerusalem came to be a holy city, because it was the site of the Temple and the center of worship for the nation. There were also 'holy men' who were exclusively set apart to do the work of God, priests and Levites, descendants of Aaron. Other men and/or women would occasionally be considered holy as a result of the Spirit's work in their lives. Most were called, 'prophets.'
In the New Testament, a new concept of holiness emerges. Holy places and holy things, people being holy because of their family status are all set aside. What emerges is the concept that ALL those who are Christ's are holy people and that the site of worship is not a building or city. God's temples are Believers. He lives in you and in me! Peter exclaims - "Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by the people, but he is precious to God who chose him. And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are God’s holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5, NLT)
Our human tendency to try to make Jerusalem or Rome into "holy cities," or Easter or Christmas into "holy days" (e.g., holidays), our church into a temple, and professional clergy into 'holy men' is simply a misplaced emphasis! You and I are to be holy - for God, the Holy Spirit, lives in us.
So, what does this calling to be God's holy people and temples mean? Must we start to wear long black coats, keep a dour look on our faces, and practice solemnity? That's what some would say. There is a certain kind of impression of holiness that comes with wearing esoteric clothing like clerical collars or black uniforms, but those can easily be quite superficial. Any old actor can buy the 'holy look.' Does it mean that we have to move into closed communities and live in dormitories? Some groups have tried that, but eventually they become so 'separate' they die out and leave no lasting legacy for God's honor in this world.
Holiness must go deeper, way deeper, than merely some rules imposed on us about our day to day behavior. Such rules may work for short time to make appear holy, but soon we find loopholes or we just ignore them altogether. And then, too, most holiness codes eventually become irrelevant as the world changes around us. The code that is designed to make people holy for one generation will not address the behaviors of the next.
The glorious truth is that we are called to embrace our calling and to become 'living sacrifices' whose words and actions reflect that we belong to God - all the time, everywhere. How that works out in everyday life is uniquely a reflection of God's work in us individually. God has gifted me to teach and write. My holiness will be reflected in the discipline of my mind and the dedication of my thoughts to Him. Whatever your gifts and abilities become a means of worshipping Him and you can use those gifts to display your devotion to Him by dedicated them to His purposes.
Of course holiness will show in some shared traits of behavior that are necessary of all God's people, in all places, and at all times. Those who walk intimately with Christ will love God with single-minded devotion and love other people intensely! Jesus said that these twin loves are the core of Christian ethics and the foundation from which we determine the morality of all actions. A holiness rooted in love for God and others will, according to the Bible, begin to show up in the way we act and speak. Paul says - "...among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:3-4, NIV) Please note - that kind of life cannot be imposed from the external! This passage refers to a life that grows out of a intimacy with Christ that transforms our lives. A person who loves Christ will find it inconceivable to be sexually promiscuous! A person whose heart is full of worship will not curse freely, for as James asks, "Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it?" (James 3:10-11, The Message)
Let me ask you if you've fallen into the same mistake that was tempting me. Are you dividing your life into what is 'holy' and what is 'secular?' If we do that, we are missing out on the true joy of being holy. For the Christian no day, no place, no person is more holy than the next. Every moment is a holy one lived in God's Presence. Every Believer is a priest whose life offers up sacrificial worship and whose words offer grace to those in need. And, every place on earth we go, we can make into a sanctuary!
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today ---
"As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God." (1 Peter 1:15-17, The Message)
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