Holiness

Holiness is a word I think about a lot. I didn't think about it much when I was younger, primarily because I didn't understand the word other than it was associated with God. But the word simply means to be set apart. As Christians, we are to be holy as God is holy, we are to be set apart like Jesus was set apart.

A number of years ago, bracelets with the letters WWJD were very popular. It stood for "What Would Jesus Do?" The bracelet was a reminder to ask that question in a variety of circumstances. However, a question I like better is, "Is it holy?" Will my choice set me apart and make me more like Christ, or does my choice make me seem more like the world?

The Bible does not condemn the consumption of alcohol, after all Jesus made water into wine, but is it holy to party it up at a bar? Does doing this activity make you look more like Christ or more like the world? I have seen Christians in bars who look a lot more like the lost the saved.

The Bible tells us that there should not be even a hint of sexual immorality among us. So do we avoid cohabitation with members of the opposite sex while we're still single or do we live together like the world does?  The world does not question single men and women living together, but they may notice your stand to not do that because you want to avoid even the hint of sexual immorality.

The Bible does not condemn smoking, but we know smoking is unhealthy. Do we choose to honor our bodies as God's temple?

When we are around people who cuss and swear, do we cuss and swear too or do we set ourselves apart in our language?

When we are around people who are gossiping, do we take part or do we refrain and set ourselves apart and choose to love those who are being talked about?

When we see the person no one wants to be around sitting by themselves, do we leave our group of friends to be a friend to the friendless at the risk of our own reputation because that is what Jesus would do and did do?

These are just some of the things I think about when it comes to holiness.