I've
not so far read a more loaded chapter than this one. There are just so many things that jump at
you from nowhere - seemingly random pickings from the core elements of true
holiness.
So
we're called to holy living; an invitation that is immediately followed by a
call to respect parents, and honour the LORD's Sabbaths; the only two
commandments that interestingly do not start with, “Thou shalt not….” The thing that these two commandments have in
common is that they direct individuals back to their sources of origin. The Sabbath points to the Creator; parents,
are procreators. The implication here is
that in either case we are accountable both to God and to our forebears for our
behaviour. The requirement of God, the
primary source of the human species, is that we all be holy as He is holy. Most parents hope that children do as they
say (and sometimes as they (the parents) do). In the ideal world God hopes
lessons learned from Him by past generations are passed on to future, so
knowledge of Himself would not be lost.

Parents
are therefore reposed with much God-ordained authority. And in real sense our response to God and
our parents will inform our treatment of our neighbours. Micah 6: 8 clinches the idea of what Leviticus
19 is generally calling us to do, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is
good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
This seems to be what holiness comes down to.
The
Bible's call to a high moral standard, or holy living takes us beyond mere
inhibitions, and things to avoid ("Thou shalt not"); it calls us into
decisive action. Hence "Remember my
Sabbaths," and "Honour thy father and mother." Holiness is the visible, the audible, and the
palpable fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God.
It isn't a private belief system, but an "everyone can see it,"
way of living. It is definitely not
abrasive, although it will create discomfort among those of another
spirit. But as it points out the ills of
individuals, it does so in a spirit of meekness and love. "The FRUIT of the Spirit is
LOVE...." Gal. 5: 22. At the heart
of holy living is love: love to God;
love for our neighbours; love for ourselves.
May
God help us all to submit to His Holy Spirit, through whom holy living, as God
desires, will be the way of life of all who profess knowledge of God. Amen.