Leviticus 11:45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
This is one of the most difficult of all scriptures in Christendom to believe. I know what I am and what I’ve done, and continue to do that is far from holy. From my perspective I am not holy.
What about God’s perspective? This one statement contains all the elements of the simple gospel if we but look at it from God’s viewpoint.
The land of Egypt here represents a life of sin, under a cruel task master. The Lord brought Israel out by the power of His might, with no effort on Israel’s part. His assertion that they shall be holy, is not a plea for effort upon their part for there is nothing in man that is found righteous much less holy.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Be holy is not a plea for man’s effort but rather a declaration, you are holy, in God’s eyes. Why, because no sin can come before Him and to have a love relationship our sin has to be dealt with. We will deal with that issue in a Just God.
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
God declares us holy for His own sake, so that we might come before Him and love Him.
If He didn’t we wouldn’t get there.
Thanks for this praise worthy meditation. For me it bowed my head in eternal gratitude. “Be ye holy was impossible in the days of the law….that is why in Hebrews we have “there was a remembrance of sin every year” which needed a sacrificial offering. When Jesus was the Sacrifice, He was “offered once for all.” Therefore, if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation..old things are passed away and all things have become new”!!
Your statement is SO important. … “Be holy is not a plea for man’s effort, but a declaration.” Unto Him be glory and honor, now and forever more.”!!!