(by Pastor Jean)

In writing to the Ephesians, Paul told them that the reason God chose them was so that they would be, “holy (that is consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose driven) and blameless in His sight” (Eph 1:4; AMP). The need to be holy is a theme that is repeated through the whole Bible. We read in Lev 19:2, “You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy” (NKJV). In Leviticus 20:26, God explains to Moses that He wants His people to be holy because they are God’s people and they are to be separate from other people. The word used for “holy” in the Old Testament scriptures means “set aside for holy purposes.” In the New Testament the Greek word, “hagios” is translated as holy with a similar meaning – consecrated and set apart for God. Peter uses this word in 1 Peter 1:15,16 when he says, “You also be holy in all your conduct because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy” (NKJV). As we see from this scripture, holiness is to be reflected in our behaviour. This is also reiterated by Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (NKJV). Holiness is to be a way of life which is different from the way the world lives. This includes purity, moral uprightness and attempting to live blameless lives. (See Eph 4:1). It means watching what we look at, listen to and what we speak. If we are to live holy lives, we will need to imitate God because only He is perfectly holy; the more time we spend with God, the easier it will become!