The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”

Leviticus 19:1-2

Jehovah is a holy God, and He expects us to be a holy people. When Adam and Eve sinned and disobeyed God, the consequences of their sin caused mankind to be separated from God forever. Jesus Christ came as our holy sacrifice, making grace available to us, because we fall short of keeping the law and the requirements of holiness. Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more, but that does not give us permission to live an unholy life. We are called to be holy as He is holy. When we fall short and turn back to the Lord, He forgives, cleanses, and restores us. Holiness is not something we achieve; holiness is something that we must yearn for. Only God is holy, but as His people, set apart, He calls us to strive for holiness.

How do we do this? It is not by our “works,” not by our formulas for holiness (to fast and pray more often), but by our willingness to gaze at the beauty of our Lord. As we gaze at HIS holiness, we become aware of our sinfulness. Like Isaiah, we say: Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King.

(Isaiah 6:5)

May the cry of your heart be like King David: One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. (Psalm 27:4)

Heavenly Father,

You alone are holy. When I gaze at You in Your holiness, I see my need to be cleansed. I stand before You yearning for holiness. Forgive me, for I am a man of unclean lips. Restore me with the righteousness of Christ.

In Jesus’ name, Amen