Day 68 Through The Bible

Day 68

The Lord’s Commands: A Call to Holiness and Service

The foundation of our actions lies in the absolute truth of God’s Word. As believers, we are called to follow the Lord's commands, particularly those clear instructions found in the Bible. In Leviticus, God speaks plainly to the Israelites, offering a powerful reminder of His holiness and the standard of living He expects from His people. The same commands and principles apply to us today.

God’s Commands: A Mark of Holiness

In Leviticus 19, God gives His people a series of commands that are not merely suggestions but vital instructions for living in a way that reflects His holiness. From the very first verse, God emphasizes the importance of holiness:

“Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

The central theme of Leviticus 19 is that the Lord calls His people to reflect His holiness in all aspects of their lives. The repeated phrase "I am the LORD your God" reminds us that the commands come from a place of divine authority and relationship. These aren’t arbitrary rules but are given by the Creator, who desires His people to live in ways that honor Him and set them apart from the world.

When God says, “Thou shalt not steal,” “Thou shalt not lie,” and “Thou shalt not swear falsely” (Leviticus 19:11, 12, 28), these are not just moral suggestions; they are directives for living in righteousness. The call to holiness includes our actions, our words, and our very conduct. Holiness is not just about a specific area of life—it permeates every part of our existence.

God's commands aren’t optional. They are meant to be followed because they stem from His character. His call to holiness is not conditional on circumstances or based on our convenience. “I am the LORD your God” isn’t just a phrase to repeat—it’s a reminder of our relationship with Him and the expectation that we will align ourselves with His will.

Serving the Lord in All We Do

The Bible clarifies that our service is not based on human standards or personal preferences but rather on the recognition that God is the Lord of all. In Colossians 3:17-25, Paul outlines how this principle should apply in all relationships. Whether we are wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, or masters, our actions should reflect a heart that serves the Lord:

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Notice that Paul doesn’t suggest some activities are exempt from serving the Lord. Everything, “whatsoever ye do in word or deed,” should be done with the acknowledgment that we are serving Him. There is no compartmentalizing our lives into sacred and secular—every part of our day-to-day actions must be rooted in the recognition that we serve the Lord.

This is especially significant in relationships. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, not because they are lesser, but because they are honoring God’s design for marriage (Colossians 3:18). Husbands are called to love their wives, not with bitterness. Still, with sacrificial love, just as Christ loved the Church (Colossians 3:19). Children are to obey their parents. Fathers must not provoke their children to anger, creating a nurturing and godly environment (Colossians 3:20-21).

Even in the workplace, the attitude is the same. Whether you are a servant or a master, the heart of the matter is to serve with sincerity, focusing not on people-pleasing but on honoring God (Colossians 3:22-24). The ultimate reward is not earthly recognition but from the Lord Himself, who promises an inheritance to those who faithfully serve Him.

Obeying All of God’s Word

We cannot pick and choose which commands we follow. The Lord’s expectations are clear and comprehensive, and He calls us to obey all His statutes, not just the ones that feel comfortable or fit our preferences. In the practical sense, this means that we must honor God in all our relationships, not just in the big moments but in our everyday decisions.

Leviticus 19:37 serves as a final reminder of this principle: “Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.”

Our lives are transformed when we truly understand that our obedience to God is a response to His authority and His holiness. We begin to see that serving God is not about checking off a list of rules but about living in a relationship with a holy God who calls us to holiness in every part of our lives.

Practical Application: Walking in Holiness Today

So, how do we apply these biblical principles in our everyday lives?

1.     Recognize God’s Authority: Understand that God’s commands are not optional. His Word is absolute truth, and our obedience to it should not be based on our convenience but on our reverence for Him.

2.     Serve the Lord in Every Role: Whether you are a spouse, parent, child, employee, or employer, your first duty is to serve the Lord. Make Him the center of your actions, words, and relationships.

3.     Commit to Holiness: Holiness isn’t just a lofty ideal—we are called to embody it daily. This includes how we speak, treat others, and respond to situations.

4.     Obey All God’s Commands: Don’t pick and choose the parts of God’s Word that feel comfortable. Trust that His entire Word is meant for our good and His glory.

As we obey the Lord’s commands, let us remember the core truth: we serve because He is the LORD our God. There is no more significant reason. Let that truth shape every decision we make today.