“Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Lev. 19:2)
Expanded Passage: Leviticus 19:1-2
When war is waged, a call goes out for soldiers to defend their country. When an epidemic strikes, a call goes out for blood donors. When the harvest is ready, a call goes out for workers to reap it.
God, too, sends out a call for those lost in sin to come home to him, to believe in the saving grace of Jesus. He then sends out a call for believers to set themselves apart for service to him. To be set apart in the world is to be different. To be set apart for service to God is to be holy.
To be set apart is not to be a stranger to the world. We still eat, need money for support, and want creature comforts and necessities. Neither is it to live in another time or lifestyle. We can live in the world. To be set apart for service to God is to be set apart from sin, resist temptation, and abide in the will of the Lord.
Just as the calls to serve in war, donate blood, or work in the harvest are each a call to action, so the call to be holy is a call to action for believers. That call is to clean ourselves up and set ourselves apart from self-service to serve the Lord. This call is a high priority.
Do something that will set you apart for God’s service today.
Randall A. Forbes was director of plant operations at Kingswood University (Canada). He is an artist, retired minister, follower of Christ, and lover of life.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
