Read: 1 Peter 1:13-25
I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. (Lev. 11:44)
My wife loves raising chickens. She sets apart good roosters for guests who visit us and good hens to lay eggs and hatch chicks. Often, she separates the healthy chickens from the sick ones.
To be holy means to be “set apart.” We are called to distance ourselves from sin and impurity, even as we live among all kinds of people in our communities.
By calling his people to be holy, God wanted them to be a shining light of his blessing to the nations (Gen. 12:2-3). That command is even in the law: “be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44). But Israel continually failed to be the holy nation God formed them to be. That’s why the prophets kept calling them back to living God’s way—that is, loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and by loving their neighbors as themselves (Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:37-40).
This is also our job as witnesses today. The world continues to be shaped by Christians who push back the darkness and reclaim this lost world for Christ. Sometimes it’s a fearful thing to be a witness. It can also be exciting and fulfilling work. The world needs more witnesses today. You and I are witnesses. We are anointed to confess the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are called to love God with our whole being and to share his love with everyone.
As you pray, ask God to continue to work in your life to make you holy and pleasing to God and others for his glory.
Rev. Titus Baraka is the executive director of Words of Hope Uganda. With more than forty years of experience as an evangelistic preacher and pastor, he is passionate about sharing the gospel.
Through radio programs of all types, from music, to Bible studies, to counseling, Words of Hope Uganda is claiming all assets of Ugandan society and culture for Christ. Words of Hope is empowering Ugandan pastors and churches to effectively nurture their people in the life of Christian discipleship. In the midst of this hard place, radio is bringing truly life-changing good news. To learn more about Words of Hope Uganda, visit our ministry pages.
