“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. (Leviticus 20:7-8 KJV)

Here in the Book of Leviticus, we find this incredible name of God. We all have names that describe us. Many of these tell what we do, like a job title which can be an example of this kind of name. These titles are to reflect what we spend time doing. Too often, they become our identity.  One such name for God is Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, The LORD Who Sanctifies, makes you holy. God’s desire for the people of Israel is that they would be a people who reflected the character of God. That they would be holy, sanctified people. The root meaning for holy and sanctified is to be set apart. They were to be set apart for God’s purposes as God’s people.

God tells the people that they are to set themselves apart in order to show others the holiness of God. What an impossible situation for those who have struggled following God, even when He leads them with a pillar of cloud and fire. Yet, God still tells them to be obedient. However, He does remind them, He is The One who will be doing the sanctifying. He is The One who will make them holy.

God is at work in the lives of all believers so we will be sanctified. He is making us holy, filling us with His character. That is why He sent Jesus. He came to call us to God by His life, Death, and Resurrection, that we may be those who are now set apart as God’s Church. Paul tells us that it is who we are, “to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2) Jesus prays for God the Father to “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:17-19) Now everything that happens in our lives we know that God is at work sanctifying us, making us holy so that we may be used in His hands to reveal Himself to the world. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

In our reflections and meditations today concerning our knowledge and understanding of God, let us come to rely upon Him. Two thoughts as you focus on our God. One, He is always working for your benefit. This benefit is that you will become more and more like Him. “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) Remember this is what He is doing in you. Second, you are set apart in this world to do His purposes with His character. Thus, we are to be as Jesus, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block