In many African homes, there are various dishes for different purposes. Some are for everyday use, some are suitable for children while some are kept in cupboards all year long and are only used for special occasions.

These dishes have been set apart from the rest for use on special days or for special guests. On no account is anyone permitted to use them otherwise. You most likely can relate to this.

This concept of being set apart is not far-fetched in Christianity. Of all God’s attributes seen in scripture, our topic of conversation is the holiness of God; God is Holy.

Leviticus 19:2

New King James Version

2 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

Holiness is an attribute we see that is first accorded to God throughout the scriptures and to be Holy means to be set apart, consecrated, or scared. This holiness sets a standard such that, anything that doesn’t match up cannot come close to God.

Think about it like the sun. The sun emits light and heat energy which are very beneficial for life on Earth. However, if an object of lesser heat approaches the sun, it will reach a certain distance where the heat from the sun will burn it up.

It is not because the sun is wicked. That is just its nature. The same thing applies when we consider God’s holiness and sin. Sin, like the object, cannot approach God’s holiness and stand it.

So, if God is holy, how can a sinful man measure up? Well, God in His mercy has made us holy by allowing His Spirit to dwell in us. Let’s see how:

Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭5‬

‭New King James Version

4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”

From this text, we must ask ourselves “What did the ground do to be holy?”. There is a popular notion that holiness is solely a function of an individual’s ability to lead a life of personal holiness. Holiness indeed has some to do with us leading a life of holiness, however, it is not the primary way by which we are made holy.

Just like in the above text, the ground was called ‭‭holy simply because the presence of God was there. And God chose that ground to speak to Moses from. Same with the holy day mentioned later in Scripture. It was only holy because God chose it to be so. Applying this same idea:

Ephesians 1:4

New King James Version

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Ephesians 1 tells us a lot about our reality in Christ and what has happened to us now that we believe. the verse above says that God chose us to be Holy. If He has called us holy, it means we are set apart for His use.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

New King James Version

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.“

Right from the Old Testament, God promised us His spirit. Despite all the magnificent buildings constructed as temples, God never dwelt in any of them. His plan was always to make us His habitation.

One can not come in contact with a holy God and remain the same. Think about it. If God, who is Holy, chooses to dwell in a place, then that place must be holy as well.

Ephesians 1:13

New King James Version

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

This verse explains that the Spirit of God promised through the prophet Ezekiel now seals us when we believe in the gospel. Hallelujah! You have become a suitable dwelling place for God thanks to the salvation plan! You have received His Spirit! Now you are a man of the Spirit! So just as with the ground in Exodus, you have been made holy because God’s spirit dwells in you.

Holiness isn’t solely about what we can do for ourselves. It’s more so about what God has done in us.

So, if God has called us to be holy, then no sin can bring us shame or condemnation. You must let it resonate in your heart that you are now the righteousness of God in Christ. This understanding must constantly guide the way that you live your life.

By God’s spirit, we have been made holy and the work of the spirit on our inside would then cause us to do things that constitute a life of holiness. Allow yourself to walk in this reality so much that your actions, words, and thoughts are led by this truth.

If you have been made holy, then the response must be consecration. See this verse of scripture

Galatians 2:20

New King James Version

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The message of salvation does not stop at salvation, it continues to consecration. When holiness is imputed into you, it must translate into consecration.

You are no longer the one who lives! Your life is not your own, so you can’t behave the way the rest of the world does. You also can’t choose to live based on “your opinion”. You have a different life now- the life of Christ; and you have been called out to be separate from the world and completely sold out and dedicated to God.

Every day, remind yourself of this truth and know that by the Spirit of God, you have been empowered to live the way God would have you live even in a world full of contradictions.

Prayer Point:

Thank you, God, for what you have done in salvation to make me your dwelling place. I now understand that this holiness makes me consecrated to your will. So from now on, I live my life to please you and be used by you.