A Life in Exile

There was a commonality between the Hebrews Moses led out of Egypt and the Christ-followers of the first century—they all lived among pagan peoples. Not only were the Hebrews coming out of a country that worshipped multiple deities, but they were going into a land filled with people who did the same. Idol worship was prolific and affected every part of life at that time.

When Peter was writing a letter to believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, they faced the same challenges, as Greek and Roman gods were worshipped across the region. For this reason, Peter draws on the standard God set in the Torah, as found in our book of Leviticus.

Holy Living

After speaking of the living hope given to those who trust in Christ Jesus, he writes:

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16 CSB

Like many New Testament writers, there is a constant call to put away the former ways of life and to put on Christ. The ways of the world lead to death. The ways of God to life. It’s a contrast between darkness and light, and we are called to live according to the light. To live a holy life is to live differently from the world. We stand out in the way we live because we are no longer conforming to the world and her ways but to Christ.

Where do we find our example in holy living? From the Lord Jesus. Perfect in all his ways, he demonstrated the set-apart life that shines for the glory of God.

Being distinguished in word and conduct.

Because the Hebrews didn’t know how to live in a way that pleased God, the Lord, through Moses gave them an instruction book in the Torah on how they were to model the holiness of the God they served. He gave them priests to help them learn what to do.

The Lord spoke to Aaron: “You and your sons are not to drink wine or beer when you enter the tent of meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute throughout your generations. You must distinguish between the holy and the common, and the clean and the unclean, and teach the Israelites all the statutes that the Lord has given to them through Moses.” Leviticus 10:8-11

This began through a series of laws on the kinds of food that they could eat, how they were to commemorate holy days, and even keep their houses. Being distinguished required work on their part, but it was to their benefit and blessing. The better they obeyed and remained faithful to Jehovah God, the more he blessed and multiplied them. As they obeyed the Lord in separating themselves from the people of the land, he would also give them success in cleansing the land and making it their own.

“You are to keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out. You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and I abhorred them. And I promised you: You will inherit their land, since I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord your God who set you apart from the peoples.” Leviticus 20:22-24

Do we not need the Law to be holy today?

So, if the Hebrews needed help to live the set-apart life, what about us? Do we live by the same Law? How can we be holy? Paul tells us:

He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1 Corinthians 5:21

Today, by the redemptive work of Christ Jesus on the cross, we no longer have to strive to be holy by obeying lists of rules. Instead, Jesus covers us with his holiness—we are set apart for God—through our belief in who he is and what he accomplished on our behalf. What the Law was unable to accomplish for mankind, Christ accomplished by paying the debt for our sin.

So, am I set apart? Am I holy as God is holy? Yes, because I believe in Jesus. Now, the good works I do and the words that honor God that come out of my mouth are all accomplished through the strength of the Holy Spirit living in me. I can live according to the Law, now the Law of Grace, because I want to. I live a holy life out of the joy it brings me, knowing I’m pleasing my Heavenly Father. The Holy life is an outpouring of the Holy One now living through me.

Am I perfect? Perfectly holy? Hardly, but I’m on the path toward my ultimate redemption and makeover, which is secure in Christ despite any personal failings this side of eternity. What the Hebrews only had a taste of, we can know fully in Christ.

Are you living a set-apart life? It’s not always easy when we’re still living in this anti-God world. Thankfully, we have a Savior who’s praying for us and gives us his Word to live by:

I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:14-17

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.