On Being Set Apart--“Holiness”
(given to and shared under inspiration of Ha Ruach Kodesh)
(NOTE: This is a devotional from YHWH's Word Of Faith Ministries. To receive the daily devotionals, you may sign up at http://www.yhwhswordoffaith.com/index2.htm )
Shalom,
What does it mean to have "holiness" or, be set apart? As I pondered this, the devotion below is what I learned from YHWH through His Word and Spirit. In Hebrews we read:
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see YHWH
A monk in his travels once found a precious stone and kept it. One day he met a traveler, and when the monk opened his bag to share his provisions with him, the traveler saw the jewel and asked the monk to give it to him. The monk did so readily. The traveler departed, overjoyed with the unexpected gift of the precious stone that was enough to give him wealth and security for the rest of his life. However, a few days later he came back in search of the monk, found him, gave him back the stone, and entreated him, “Now give me something much more precious than this stone, valuable as it is. Give me that which enabled you to give it to me.”
--from a story told by Anthony de Mello
2Co 7:1 Having, then, these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting set-apartness in the fear of Elohim
Lev 11:44 For I am YHWH your Elohim: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Lev 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘Be set-apart, for I יהוה your Elohim am set-apart
We can "do" many things that would appear "holy", We could change our clothing, we could walk in white robes, but would the "cloth" make us set apart? We could avoid saying certain words, and eat scriptural diets, we could "do" many such things, but, would our "doing" of them, MAKE us set-apart (holy)?
I am so thankful for all that we have, in and through and by our Master Yahushua. Through Him we can "be" set apart! And then as a result of being set apart we would also do things differently than the world does.
In the "old testament" or 'Tenach', we see that being set-apart, means being "unique" or "peculiar". Being set apart was because of YHWH being their Elohim. So much so, that all the nations around knew that "Yah's" presence dwelt with His people of Yisra'el.
Today, through Ha Ruach Kodesh, (the Holy Spirit of YHWH) YHWH dwells in HIS people. Remember all the instructions that came along with the Ark of the Covenant? Special coverings, special instruments, only those in service of YHWH could even get in the temple? So what about our bodies, the temple of YHWH? Do we pay any attention to YHWH's temple within? What gets placed as "offerings" before YHWH in our temple? What comes in through our ears, our eyes, our taste, our touch, our smell? Are we as vigilant to protect YHWH's temple within as YHWH instructed His people regarding His residence among them in the past?
We belong to YHWH, that is also being set-apart. We no longer are slaves to unrighteousness, deceit and lies, but through the mercy of Yahushua we are now servants of righteousness. We can claim YHWH's protection over us, only when YHWH really is our Elohim, when we really belong to HIM. I have often heard things like, "how can a loving Elohim, let this or that happen?" Folks are swift to say they prayed and our Father didn't answer. I have asked some folks, who their Elohim is? When did they forsake the world, crucify their old nature and begin to walk a life of being set apart to YHWH? I get some strange looks! How can one say YHWH is their Elohim, when they do not even belong to HIM? How does one belong to HIM? YHWH said there is only one way to HIM, and that, through His Son Yahushua.
Belonging to YHWH means also that we live with HIM. Not simply a one way contract we arrange to our liking. Saying, HE must dwell in me because that is what HE says in His Word. Be sure to take a full truth and not just half! Do we live, dwell with YHWH? Through ha Ruach Kodesh something fascinating takes place. Living with YHWH would mean living in obedience to HIM. His Spirit would NEVER contradict HIS Word.
1Th 4:7 For Elohim did not call us to uncleanness, but in set-apartness.
1Th 4:8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but Elohim, who also gives us His Set-apart Spirit
YHWH's Word is life, and following YHWH's word in obedience is also life. Every covenant has two parties, each party consents to an agreement. YHWH has never strayed from HIS part, how about us? How faithful are we to be united with YHWH in every area of our lives? Does HIS light shine through us at all times?
My husband has bought us a few flashlights that do not use batteries. We shake them and there is friction caused by the magnets passing each other, generating light to the bulb. Have we let the seed of the Word of YHWH shrivel inside of us? Or do we desire to be "shaken" if needed? Do we generate the light, the presence of YHWH within us? Are we a light to the nations?
When I think about the "objects" used in the tabernacle or temple, each item was made, then sanctified, dedicated to YHWH, made Holy for His service. We are not "things" We must choose to want to be separated from the world, to no longer want "our will" but YHWHs. Instead of focusing on the nature of our old man, with it's will, it's desire, it's emotions, it's mind, attitudes and desires, we seek through the mercy and love and examples of Yahushua, the indwelling of YHWH's Spirit, to be separated from that past, and instead be renewed! Each day we continue to renew our minds through the Word of YHWH. Each day we strive to fulfil our duties for the temple of YHWH, where YHWH dwells! HalleluYAH! As we walk set apart, that, is walking in "holiness" Isn't it beautiful that being set apart is a choosing of YHWH first? Then as we respond to HIS love and desire to be set apart just like HE is set apart, that HE reveals to us His Son, His life, His death, His resurrection? The indwelling of HIS Spirit? That HE makes a way to dwell in us, so long we desire to walk in obedience and love as well?
A good topic to ponder on as we receive each new day in this new week. Blessings to you!