The Holy Life – Mission Possible!

We must not be confused – God has called us to life a holy life. And it is possible. As we journey through the Bible together, we find a surprising beginning to this call for holiness – the book of Leviticus. Here is a sample of what is written:

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the LORD. Leviticus 18:1-5 (ESV)

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. Leviticus 19:1–2 (ESV)

The people of God have a clear distinguishing mark: holiness.

What is holiness?

Before we can truly understand what it means to live a holy life, it is essential to define the concept of holiness itself. Often misunderstood, holiness simply means being set apart. To be holy is to be designated for God’s use, distinct from the ordinary.

God is holy, set apart by his very nature from all of his creation. To truly align ourselves with God and his purposes for creation, we must also be set apart. This means we don’t live like the world around us. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, this idea is emphasized repeatedly. For example, in Leviticus 18, Moses outlines many prohibitions regarding sexual relations. The kinds of relationships described were common among the surrounding cultures of that time, and while these instructions may seem uncomfortably graphic, it was vital for the people to remind themselves of the importance of being different.

The world tends to have few prohibitions on behaviors that are culturally acceptable, often operating under a “as long as no one gets hurt” morality. While this may seem better than a “every person for themselves” mindset, it still falls far short of God’s standard for a holy people. Therefore, we need specific guidance and God-given discernment to know what is truly acceptable for those called to be holy.

The holy life – where it starts

One of the hallmarks of God’s people is obedience to the truth. Obedience is not just a duty; it is the fruitful evidence of our salvation—true salvation leads naturally to obedience to God. This obedience is a heartfelt response to God’s grace. Jesus made it clear when He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” The idea of commandments isn’t confined to the Old Testament but runs through the entire Bible.

God graciously gives us rules and statutes to live by, and these are designed for our benefit. As the Creator, God knows exactly how His creation functions best. His rules are intended to bring about the best possible result for us, ensuring that we live according to the optimum functionality he intended.

Obedience is the path that leads to life. God extends promises to His people—some are unconditional, while others depend on our response. The promise of an abundant life falls into the second category; it is conditional. To experience the best that life has to offer, we are called to follow God’s rules and statutes. The reason for this is straightforward: God knows what it takes for us to truly thrive. Consider the analogy of putting diesel fuel into a gasoline engine; it simply doesn’t work and can do harm. In the same way, when we persist in disobedience, we are acting against the design God has set for us, yet we sometimes expect a positive outcome anyway. The result of such disobedience is a continual, unsatisfied hunger for something more.

Because God is holy, his people are called to be holy as well. Our very identity as God’s people requires that we pursue holiness. This is emphasized in scripture, where 1 Peter 1:16 quotes Leviticus 11:44 and 19:2, reminding us of this foundational calling.

The holy life – what it looks like

This call to holiness is what sets God’s people apart and gives them a distinct identity. However, holiness is not about arrogance or adopting a ‘better than you’ mentality. Instead, holiness is perfectly embodied in the life of Jesus and beautifully described in the Beatitudes. Jesus teaches that those who mourn—those who are broken—create space for God’s power to work in their lives. The meek are humble, not aggressive, manipulative, or coercive – and they shall inherit the earth! Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers, reflect the kind of holiness God desires for His people. In these qualities, we see the true nature of holiness: humble, compassionate, and centered on God’s transformative love.

Holiness is not just about being set apart; it is also wholeness. Just as God lacks nothing, when we pursue holiness, we are made whole—though we are never truly finished. We continue to mature, equipped with everything we need to grow, and although still fully human, we are transformed daily into the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Relationships

The closest and most sacred relationships we experience are defined by intimacy. These bonds, while demanding, are also the most fulfilling. God deeply despises the distortion of intimacy because it undermines the pursuit of holiness. In Scripture, the church is described as the bride of Christ, and the marriage supper of the Lamb symbolizes the ultimate intimacy between Christ and the church. Leviticus 18 addresses the boundaries of sexual intimacy, emphasizing how it should not be misused. Prophets like Ezekiel and Hosea also rely on marriage as an analogy for God’s relationship with His people.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:2-8, the link between holiness and sexual immorality is made clear. Paul reminds the church of the instructions given through Jesus, emphasizing that God’s will is for believers’ sanctification, which includes abstaining from sexual immorality. Each person is called to control their body in holiness and honor, not in the passionate lust of those who do not know God. Transgressing in this matter is not just a wrong against another person—it is a denial of God’s transforming power through the Holy Spirit. Holiness, then, means acting with complete propriety in relationships, making biblical sexual expression an integral part of a holy life and prohibiting anything outside of God’s design. Disregarding these truths is a clear rejection of what God can do within us. Ultimately, we are called to pursue complete intimacy with God, living in holiness as He intended.

The holy life – yes!

Yet, one might wonder if such a calling is impossible to attain. Would God be cruel to call us to holiness if he knew we could never reach it? The answer is found not in our own strength but in God’s provision. He empowers our desire to be holy, sanctifying us completely as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” God Himself will make us holy and keep us blameless, demonstrating His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

Our response to this truth should be unmistakable. We are called to embrace the biblical standard of holiness, surrender to it, and live in holiness by the power of God’s Spirit. It is not an unattainable ideal, but a life empowered and sustained by God’s faithfulness and grace.

Your Turn

Holiness is the call we hear throughout the Bible. And our journey through God’s Word is just beginning. Here is a guide for what comes next.

Weekly Reading: Leviticus 1-22 – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule

Key points:

• Leviticus lays out the requirements for God’s people – the books title reflects the special place the tribe of Levi had in worshiping God.
• God revealed a standard of holiness for his people which would set them apart from the lifestyle and worship of the people groups around them.

Questions for consideration:

1. Leviticus 4 outlines the various offerings for sin that reflected the individual or group standing. Why do you think there is a difference?

• God’s response to the unauthorized fire of Nadab and Abihu seems severe. What do you think was the reason for his response? What does that mean for us today?

• There is something sacred about human intimacy that is in close parallel with the intimacy we have with God. What can we learn from the prohibitions that God laid on his people regarding sexual purity that we can relate to in a spiritual application?

• The priesthood had a high standard of holy conduct. How does that apply to the church today as the priesthood of believers?