Leviticus 20:26. “And ye shall be holy unto Me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine.” I … HAVE SEVERED YOU. It seems to some men that God is going too far, when He calls for our life to be different. Why not mix and match to fit in with the crowd, instead of trying to be separate? But the God who I serve is so unique, that there’s not, any way to compare Him with others. His character traits and the life He imparts, make us who believe all as brothers.
Unlike the strange gods of the world around, He is a God who is known by His love. And more than the idols that are carved out by men, He gives life that idols can’t give. He is the God of the helpless, the children, the needy – not like worldly gods that just take. He is a God who is unselfish, who gives – not demands; His own Son gave His life for the sheep.
It is not an unreasonable when He makes commands; our body and life must be clean. To live like those in the land all around, would badly pollute generations to come. Whether I like it or not, there’s an influence I cast – either good or bad – at my age. I am severed from those around by His claims; but I still can show them His grace.
To live by men’s laws and customs and ways, is not consistent with the God that I serve. I am a child of the King, and His influence I bring to every situation in this life that I live. There are distinctions each day that I make on the way, as I move through this land like a pilgrim. My home is not here, and I really don’t dare to act on situations as I see them.
My Father in heaven, has left me down here, to let people around see what He wants. He promises grace when in weakness of self, my feet on His promises I plant. When it comes to my choices – should I do it or not – I remember that I have been severed. I am not free to act like the nations around; I have been bought and from sin am delivered.
It is a serious offense to my Father who loves, and wants me daily to prove; That what offends Him, should also offend me; that is one of the ways I show love. When I am making my plans for this day that’s before, I remember that I’m not my own. My Father, in grace, has severed me thus; this truth clearly to me has shown.
“I understand, O heavenly Father, that when Thou dost cut off from those around me, all ties and patterns of life that do not stand divine approval; it is a good thing. I do not want to be polluted in any way, by my wrong choices. It is bad enough to be influenced without knowing it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”