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Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy (KADOSH) to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy (KADOSH) to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:9-10 (NIV)
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INTRODUCTION
There is only one who is perfect and one of a kind - the Lord Himself. There is no other like Him out there. Truly separated from others. We are called to be Holy too. To be holy - kadosh - and separated, set apart, and dedicated to the Lord, our God Almighty. Kodesh on the other hand means holiness, sacredness in general.
KADOSH AND KODESH
KADESH - HOLY
" ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.", says Revelation 4:8 (NIV). Perfect and righteous He is. The creator of all, separate from the rest and one of a kind. Without blemish, imperfection, or any comparison. He is Kadosh.
1 Peter 1: 16 calls us to be holy as He is holy. This doesn't mean we are the only human in existence. The real meaning of the Hebrew adjective Kadosh hiding behind the word holy, is dedicated, set apart, or consecrated for a special purpose to God.
In a congregation of faithful believers, we are called pursue that which pleases God and He has called us towards.
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To be holy means to walk according to His ways. To stand out in this world that rejects our Lord and Savior. That reject His ways and teachings. It also means to accomplish His will here on earth.
KODESH - HOLINESS
On the contrary to Kadosh, Kodesh is the Hebrew noun that depicts the very state of sacredness and holiness in general.
It is part of the Hebrew word for Holy Spirit - Ruach HaKodesh. It of course describes the holiness of the Holy Spirit.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26 (NIV)
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GREATER PLANS
We do not belong to ourselves anymore. We are dedicated unto God. Our very lives have been bought over by God through the shedding of Yeshua’s blood. He has amazing plans and destinies planned out for us. And His ways are greater than ours.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Even if we seemingly lose some things along the way, God has greater things in store for us in the future. Greater things He has for us even now.
FURTHER READING
Many books, blog posts, and texts out there probably speak on this subject. Today I will mention three that can assist you in building holiness:
The transformation from sinner to saint is rarely drastic or immediate. The daily devotionals of the book Holiness: Day by Day, written by Jerry Bridges offer that nourishment needed on the journey.
Read about the scriptural truth about holiness in this devotional written by A. F. Harper.
St. Alphonsus Liguori reveals to us the 12 steps we must take in building our holiness in his book The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation.
CONCLUSION
God is Holy, separated, one of a kind. There is no other like Him out there. He is Kadosh. We too are called to be holy, holy unto God. Separated and consecrated to accomplish His will here on earth and to follow His ways and teachings.
Application
Take a moment and ask yourself how you have been holy unto the Lord up until now. Write it down. Then take a moment and think how you could expand on it.
SOURCES
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