Full beards and sidelocks? Is it a gown for a nun or priest? Is it full leg coverings and a hat. Suit and tie? In our quest to look holy do we ignore the deeper meaning of, “be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy’” (Leviticus 19:2). And, by ignoring the deeper meaning, do we seek to have others view us as holy with our outward appearance?
One of the laws of holiness states, “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” (Leviticus 19:11). Would the world expect this from a “holy” person? I would think so, in that a religious person should conduct his affairs in concert with his moral values.
The Torah says that when a religious person conducts himself without integrity, he profanes the name of God. The word profane is the opposite of the word holy. Holy means “set apart.” Profane means “common and ordinary.” When a religious person conducts himself with common earthly actions, he makes God look common and ordinary, too. He damages God’s reputation, disgraces the faith, and gives opportunity for unbelievers to say, “You see? He is just like us. I knew there was no substance to his God or his religion.” When this happens do you think your attire would be considered holy? Could it even be viewed as a lie?
The apostle Paul quotes Biblical writings in Romans 3 stating, “There is no one righteous, not even one. . . there is no one who does good.”
So, if the dress code doesn’t make us holy and our intentions to do good typically fail due to our sinful heart, what should we do to be holy?
“I AM YHWH, the Lord your God” shows up 35 times in the study of Acharei Mot. The declaration of “I Am” was given to Moses when he thought he would be unable to do Yah’s biding. Isn’t it fascinating then to see this declaration once again in the midst of a listing of corruptible sins. Should it then be viewed as promise, like what was given to Moses? If sin is a part of our nature, wouldn’t the Holy Nature of Yahweh redeem us from ourselves?
The “I AM” faces our sin! In Romans 10:9-10 we read, “If you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord (kingly ruler) and believe in your heart that YHWH raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
When facing sin, I make a statement of prayer. It goes like this. “Father thank you for Yeshua our Messiah and the shedding of His blood for me. You have made me recognize my sin of _____. Thank you. Show me Father, through your Spirit, where this sin comes from. Thank you. I now repent of this sin, I reject this sin, and I renounce this sin in the heavenly places and in front of You. I claim the blood of the Lamb and the strength of the Messiah to conquer and cover this sin in my life. Thank you for Your mighty works. Continue to cleanse me. Continue to renew my heart. Thank you. Amen.
Be Blessed,
Rollyn