Holiness to the Lord is something that is not talked about very often. Without holiness you will not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. This is evident back in the day when Aaron would go into minister to the Lord for the people. Many seem to forget that on the turban that Aaron wore into the Holy of Holies, written on the golden plate, “Holiness to the Lord.” Exodus 28:36 “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 37 And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.
How many of us today practice holiness? Interesting that the word tells us that we are to offer our bodies holy to the Lord. Did you know that? Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I am not sure if this is being taught, but it should! Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. The word holiness in Romans 6:22 also means sanctification. You are to set yourself apart from what the world teaches you. The Greek word for sanctification is hagiasmos meaning consecration, sanctification. Also the usage of the word is, the process of making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness, consecration. Have you set yourself apart or you like everyone else?
I have heard many say that we are kings as Jesus is the King of kings, which we are. I have not heard many say that we are priests. Priests minister to the Lord. That’s what we are to do. Go back up and read Romans 12:1-2 again. If you are not sure that we are priests, read what the Apostle John wrote on the island of Patmos. Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. So to minister to the Lord we must be holy. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
My favorite book of the Bible is one that not many read, Leviticus. The reason why I love this book so much is that God , through Moses, was teaching His people holiness. Leviticus 11:44 For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Peter understood holiness as he quoted that verse. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
If your mindset is still on the old man (sin nature), then you will not be holy. Why do you think that the spirit that is in you is called “Holy” Spirit! 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. We are to put on the new man. Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.