TAKING TIME TO BE HOLY

TEXT: Leviticus 11:44-45
INTRODUCTION: How often have we sung the hymn—
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

One source for this thought is TEXT—read. God chose Israel to be His own special people under the old covenant through whom He’d bring the Messiah into the world, and to accomplish His purpose, He called upon them to be holy. Today, Christians, those who make up the Lord’s church, are God’s own special people, and He expects us to be holy as well.
What does it mean to be holy? W. E. Vine—“fundamentally signifies separated (among the Greeks, dedicated to the gods), and hence in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred.” But as the song suggests, holiness isn’t just something that happens; rather, it takes time and effort on our part.
Therefore, I’d like to spend our time by considering how we can go about TITLE.

I. The first area we need to think about is taking time to be holy is in our relationship to the Lord
A. Recognize the importance of worship: Isa. 6:1-7
B. Jesus also taught: Matt. 4:10, Jn. 4:24
C. In general, determine to show obedience: Eccl. 12:13-14

II. A second area we want to notice is taking time to be holy in our relationship to the world
A. What is the world? (earth: Acts 17:24; people: Jn. 3:16); Vine—“the present condition of human affairs, in alienation from and opposition to God”: 1 Jn. 2:15-17
B. Holiness suggests the idea of separation: Tit. 2:11-14 (past—present—future motivation; note “redeemed” or separated, and “His own people” dedication and consecration to God)
C. Therefore, we need to devote the time required to exercise care in our relationship to the world: Jas. 1:27, 4:4

III. A third area to look at is taking time to be holy in our daily responsibilities
A. One such responsibility is work, and the Bible certainly emphasizes the value of honest labor: Eph. 4:28; but it also teaches the importance of taking time to demonstrate holiness in our work: Eph. 6:5-8
B. Another responsibility that presses on us daily is that to the civil government; how do we show holiness in this regard?: Rom. 13:1-7
C. And we should always take time to be holy as pertains to our responsibilities in the home (Eph. 5, 6): Tit. 2:3-5 (“divine service performed here three times daily”), 1 Pet. 3:7

IV. A fourth and final area for our discussion is taking time to be holy in our own souls—how do we develop a spirit of holiness in our own hearts?
A. Daily Bible study: Acts 17:11, 2 Tim. 3:16-17
B. Daily prayer: Lk. 18:1, Phil. 4:6-7
C. Regular attendance at worship services: Heb. 10:24-25, cf. 3:12-13

CONCLUSION: 1 Pet. 1:13-16—reason why God wants us to be holy.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

By Wayne S. Walker

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