Thought for Today
Exodus 15:11 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?
Psalm 93:5 Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
2 Corinthians 6:4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, . . . 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love,
Ephesians 4:24 clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
You may have read or heard that the Roman Catholic Church has recently canonized the first millennial saint. Somewhere in all the coverage, Greta heard a phrase that has resonated in her and my mind, “holiness in everyday life.” Or, maybe it was “holiness in daily living.” Either way, we both really love the phrase and the idea.
What does it mean to practice “holiness in everyday life?” My dictionary defines holiness in part as “the quality or state of being holy.” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, pg. 546) It further defines holy in part as “set apart to the service of God or a god.” (ibid) That dictionary tells me that our English word comes from a Middle English word that came from an Old English word. The essential meaning of those root words is ‘whole.’
In the Bible, the Greek word we translate as holy is ἅγιος (hagios). When used as a noun, we translate that same word as ‘saint.’ My lexicon tells me that the essential meaning of that word is “the quality of persons or things that can be brought near or into God’s presence holy.” (Friberg, Analytical Greek Lexicon) It also offers as possible translations, dedicated, sacred, or pure.
I have shared before that one of the seminary professors who most influenced and still influences my ministry used to greet us for each class with “Good evening, Saints.” We know that in the early Christian church, believers used to greet each other that way.
What does it mean to be a saint? The Roman Catholic Church does have a slightly different meaning and understanding than do we Protestants. For the purposes of these words today, all of the theology and the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism, especially concerning saints, are not pertinent. What does it mean for you and for me to live out holiness in our everyday lives?
I believe the answer lies in that basic meaning of ἅγιος (hagios). Christians are called to live lives demonstrating their suitability to be brought near or into God’s presence. Christians are called to be ἅγιος (hagios). Truthfully, all of God’s children should strive to be ἅγιος (hagios).
The Bible even tells us how to do that. It is not very complex. It is not, however, always easy to be ἅγιος (hagios) in our modern, technological, materialistic society. The metrics of success in our society are not the metrics of success in being ἅγιος (hagios).
Scripture reminds us, “Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Society encourages us to work hard and earn money. Scripture points out, "Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Living out holiness in our everyday life is all about doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God. Living out holiness in our everyday life is about living out the greatest commandments, "Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
Living ἅγιος (hagios) may or may not result in your being canonized; but, it will result in your being not only suitable to be brought near or into God’s presence . . . you actually will ultimately be in God’s presence through eternity. You will “Matthew 6:20 store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Stay safe, live everyday lives of holiness, trust God,
Pastor Ray