Pursuing Holiness Daily

What comes to mind when you think of holiness? Sometimes it is a picture of monks in monasteries or extreme acts of self-denial. However, what we see in Leviticus 19 paints a radically different picture of holiness. It’s one where it is deeply practical, profoundly relational, and surprisingly accessible.

The Foundation: Be Holy Because God is Holy

God begins with the ultimate motivation for holiness: “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). Holiness isn’t about earning God’s approval; it’s about reflecting His character. We pursue holiness not to become God’s children but because we already are. It’s identity shaping behavior, not behavior earning identity.

Holiness Looks Like Love

What’s remarkable about Leviticus 19 is how it moves seamlessly from worship regulations to everyday ethics. Holiness isn’t compartmentalized into “spiritual” activities—it touches everything. Respect your parents (19:3). Don’t steal or lie (19:11). Pay workers fairly and on time (19:13). Don’t insult the deaf or trip the blind (19:14). Treat immigrants with kindness (19:33-34).

Then comes the verse Jesus would later call one of the two greatest commandments: “Love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18). Holiness, it turns out, looks a lot like love—not sentimental feelings, but concrete actions that honor the dignity of every person created in God’s image.

Holiness in the Details

Notice the specificity: don’t harvest the edges of your field so the poor can glean (19:9-10). Don’t hold grudges (19:18). Use honest scales in business (19:35-36). These aren’t abstract principles—they’re detailed instructions for ordinary life. Holiness isn’t just Sunday worship; it’s Monday morning business practices, Tuesday afternoon conversations, and Saturday night entertainment choices.

The chapter even addresses our thought life: “Do not hate your brother in your heart” (Leviticus 19:17). God cares about our internal attitudes, not just external actions.

The Refrain: “I am the LORD”

This phrase appears throughout the chapter like a heartbeat (19:3, 4, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37). Every command is anchored in God’s character and authority. We pursue holiness not because we’re legalists trying to earn favor, but because we’re responding to who God is.

Holiness Today

For Christians, Jesus has made us holy through His sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Now we’re called to “live as holy children” (1 Peter 1:15-16), working out what God has worked in. This means:

• Integrity in business dealings
• Generosity toward the poor
• Truthfulness in speech
• Fairness in relationships
• Compassion for the vulnerable
• Love for neighbors and strangers alike

Conclusion

Leviticus 19 destroys the myth that holiness is otherworldly mysticism. Instead, it’s loving your neighbor, paying your employees fairly, speaking truthfully, and treating everyone—especially the marginalized—with dignity.

Holiness isn’t an escape from the world; it’s being distinctly different within it. Not weird for weirdness’ sake, but different because we reflect a holy God who is both transcendent and intimately concerned with how we treat one another.

“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”

The call stands. The question is: will we answer it in the grocery store, the boardroom, the neighborhood, and the family room?