Holy - set apart
"You shall not eat anything which dies of itself. You may give it to the alien who is in your town, so that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner, for you are a holy people to the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk." Deuteronomy 14:21 NASB
Now, what is God getting up to here?
He tells the Israelites that they are not allowed to eat anything that dies a natural death yet they are free to 'give it' to other people or even sell it to them.
This does not sound very nice.
God's excuse seems to be that 'they are a Holy people'.
Holiness means that there are certain things we should not do, not necessary because they are wrong but because they are not worthy or desirable of those who are joint heirs with Christ.
It would not be a worthy sight to see a President or Prime Minister living in gluttony or drunkardness.
There is no sin in sitting down watching television all day long, but it is not worthy of someone who has a purpose in life.
Don't expect those who do not know the wealth they possess in Christ to have the same standard of living as those of us who do.
Unfortunately many Christians live as those who do not appreciate their position in Christ. They are proud, lack self-control, selfish and give no thought for the feelings of others. There may not be any direct law against such attitudes nevertheless they are not expedient.
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12 NKJV
God has set us apart.
The above verse from Corinthians states this quite clearly. Some things are not helpful. Nor should we be addicted or held under the power of any habits, food or person.
Growing in the love of Christ demands a life of holiness.
Can you think of any attitude or habit you have that is not helpful to your Christian growth?
Holiness means you watching people do things that are not unlawful yet you will not be permitted to do them. You do not consider yourself ?better than them? for forgoing their way of life. You are simply aware of your purpose in life and the discipline required to accomplish it.
Ponder the following scriptures.
"But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation."
NASB 1 Peter 2:9-12