1 Chronicles 13-16

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2013-16&version=ESV

Chapter 13 to 16 detail when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem.

In chapter 13, we read that Uzzah died when he reached out to take hold of the ark when the oxen stumbled.

Why did God do this? Is this a reflection of a God of love, some may ask?

Yes, God is love, and, God is holy. The ark of God was to be carried by the Levites and by poles, not on a cart of oxen. In David's excitement to bring the ark to Jerusalem, the people treated the things of God as normal ordinary things of man.

So, God struck down Uzzah because he offended God and acted unholy, if you will.

Holiness in our day and age is something that is rarely preached on. People think holiness is a life that is rigid, full of rules, stern, and unloving.

That is not what holiness is. Holiness is being set apart for God. God is set apart from His creation in that there is no one like Him. In the same way, God says,

" For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy...."

(Leviticus 11:44)

Living a life of holiness frees you from the entrapments of the world. As John Piper has written, we should seek and savor the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all areas of our lives. We need to hold on to the promises of God and know that they are superior to the promises of the world, which entail the lies that money, power, and sex are all one needs.

Peter quotes Moses's verse above in 1 Peter 1:13-16,

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

I know some may say, "Russ that is fine for you. But times have changed and our culture is different than it was back in the days of the Bible. It is too hard to live a life of holiness, I will just do the best that I can."

Well, the times may have changed, but the fallen condition of man remains the same. And, the truths of the Word of God never change.

The writer of Hebrews writes of holiness. Listen to what he writes,

"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

(Hebrews 12:12-14)

We are to strive to live a holy life as Christians. The ESV Study Bible's note on the above verses reads,

"Holiness is clearly expected of all Christians (without which no one will see the Lord). This is not salvation by works, however, for Christians are sanctified once-for-all by the death of Christ (Heb. 10:14); holy living is a part of the perseverance encouraged throughout Hebrews."

Embrace holiness in your lives. To live a life of holiness towards God is freeing and God honoring.

If you are interested in reading more about holiness, I would suggest two books, The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, and The Holiness of God by RC Sproul. Both books explain biblically what holiness is and how we should model holiness in our lives.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.