May 5 -- "Making a Clear Distinction"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 9 & 10

"Making a Clear Distinction"

Today’s verse is a command to differentiate between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean. This command was necessary because the Israelites were called to be a holy people, set apart and distinct from the nations around them, and the priests were responsible for maintaining the purity of the tabernacle and the offerings made there.

The principles contained in this verse still have relevance for us as modern-day Christ-followers. We too are called to live lives that are holy and set apart for God. The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy." We are called to reflect the holy character of God in our lives and to pursue holiness in all that we do.

One way we can do this is by making a distinction between what is holy and what is common. "Holy" refers to things that are set apart for God's service and have a special spiritual significance while "common" refers to things that are ordinary or commonplace, without any special spiritual connotation. This means that we need to be intentional about the things we allow into our lives, such as the media we consume, the people we spend time with, and the activities we engage in.

Similarly, we are called to make a distinction between what is clean and what is unclean. In the Old Testament, certain foods and activities were considered unclean, but in the New Testament, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). However, there are still things that can defile us, such as sexual immorality, greed, and anger (Mark 7:20-23). We need to avoid these things and pursue righteousness and purity.

Finally, we are called to make a distinction between what is “of God” and what is “of the world.” The Apostle John writes in 1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” We need to be discerning and wise in our choices, seeking to follow God's will and live according to his commands.

Leviticus 10:10 reminds us of the importance of living a holy and set-apart life, of making a clear distinction between what is of God and what is of the world, and of pursuing righteousness and purity. As Christ-followers, we are called to reflect the character of God in our lives and to live in a way that honors Him and the holiness that is fundamental to His nature.