As previously mentioned in a recent story I shared, I have taken on the challenge of reading the Bible in 90 days. While it has indeed been a challenge, I have truly enjoyed this unique take on Bible reading. Reading such large sections of Scripture has opened my eyes to themes, similarities, lessons, and connections to the “Big Story” in ways I had not noticed before. From time to time, I will be sharing with you what I have been learning from my Bible reading experience.
In recent weeks, I have made it through Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. While there have been many themes, connections, and lessons I have seen, one theme in particular seemed to shout loudly in each book. That theme was set apart or separate living. Simply put, the main theme was how incredibly important it is for the believer to be set apart from this world. God’s people are to choose holy living that sets them apart from the world around them.
Time and time again throughout these books, God warned His people not to live like the people around them were living. He called them to live in obedience to His commands and not to be anything like the ungodly culture around them. Reading through all of these books back-to-back this way, it was as if His Word was shouting “be set apart”, “choose holy living”, and “obey Me”. This theme of separateness was a challenge to the people of God then and I believe it is now as well.
God’s people cannot be like the world around them. As the saying goes, we are to be “in the world but not of the world”. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are called to be a holy people “called out of darkness into His marvelous light”. Dear heart, in case you haven’t noticed, the world is getting darker by the day. We cannot shine for Him if we are not walking in His light. We cannot be a light if we are trying to blend in with the darkness! We must choose to separate ourselves from the world.
Beloved, we must choose holy living, which means we choose to honor Him above all else. It means choosing to let His Word be our Guide. It means letting His Holy Spirit lead us. It means that we want to honor Him more than we want to fit in with this world. Set apart from this world means just that. We have to live set apart from this world; we have to live by a different set of standards. We have to deliberately choose each day to live by His standards.
We serve a holy God and in order to please Him, we must dedicate ourselves to holy living. We must, like the prophet Daniel did, determine that we will do what honors God (Daniel 1). You see, holy living doesn’t just happen; it is a decision. Holy living is a decision we must make. It must be done daily, even hourly, and it requires determination and persistence. It requires purpose, dear heart, and it requires deliberately choosing not to live like the world around you are living.
I believe with all of my heart that time is growing shorter, and we need to shine for Jesus like never before. We need to live in a way that sets us apart from the world around us and draws people to the God we serve. “Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2), beloved, you were made to shine for Him, and you can’t do that if you are living like the world around you. I challenge you to determine that you will choose holy living that will honor the God you serve.
Let His Word be your Guide that determines your course each day. Let His Holy Spirit be your Teacher and Guide. Spend time each day with Him, allowing Him to speak to your heart and draw you closer to Him. Ask Him to help you live in holy awe and reverential fear of Him, so it becomes your heart’s desire to please only Him. Determine to let go of your fear of what others may think and seek only His pleasure. Then, dear heart, you will be living set apart for the One who calls you His own!
See also: 1 Peter 2:1-16; 2 Cor. 7:1; Deut. 14:2; Romans 12:1-2
Katrina Douglas
1/16/2024
