February 22nd

Leviticus 17:1-19:37

You covered a number of topics, everything from the blood of the atonement to idolatry and immoral relationships. God gave Moses and the people of Israel quite a list of statutes to live by. Of the three types of laws God handed down, these commandments fall into the category of civil laws, which were meant to provide Israel with guidelines for how to act like a civilized nation.

The distinction that was expected by God between Israel and other nations is pretty obvious. He made it clear that He did not want His people to be anything like the world around them. “Do not act like the people of Egypt, where you used to live,” He said, “nor like the people of Canaan where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all of my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the Lord, am your God” (Leviticus 18:3, 4).

His reason for Israel’s separation from the ways of other nations was that He was their God. They were to worship Him now, Him alone; and He is holy, so He expected them to be holy and set apart.

As I read the list of things that other nations did, and how they were an abomination to the Lord, I didn’t have to wonder why God wanted His people to be separate. The world’s ways are sick and perverted. Their deeds reflect the desires of their flesh, and God expects more of His people than to live for simple selfish pleasures. The Lord still has similar expectations of His people today, for them to be different.

I’m not referring to the Jews; I’m referring to Christians. His expectation of holiness still holds true for you and I, if we have come to know Christ as our Savior. With a regenerated heart, because of the atoning blood of Christ, and the

indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our lives should reflect, on the outside, the holiness that is on the inside. Our lives should be different than the rest of the world. We should look nothing like it; in fact, God wants us to be set apart, so that we might be an example of what He can do in the lives of people.

Daily Reflection

If you looked at every area of your life, how are you doing at separating from the world’s ways?

Is it obvious to others that you are different? Is it obvious to others that God is at work in your life? Why or why not?

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” Romans 12:2

BiAY.org | Day 53 — 312 Days to Go