Thank you to Heather for providing us with a great Thursday Leadership Lesson series on radical hospitality. Now during the May term, we are going to shift gears and focus on what it means to be ‘Set Apart’ by God and how this is part of His great plan to forcefully advance the Kingdom and draw humanity back to Himself. Over the next few weeks, we will explore what it means to be set apart and what this means for those of us comprising the church today. Some of this material is taken from my May term group entitled: ‘Set Apart- Exploring the Biblical Foundations of Social Justice.’
In the Old Testament, one of the Hebrew words used to convey the idea of being set apart is qodesh. The word actually means ‘apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness.’ In the New Testament Greek the word hagiazo is used in a similar way. Both words exuded the idea of a sanctified or hallowed state of being, which in turn also meant a certain kind of separateness from the things around them. Since the fall of man, God has chosen to impart His presence on certain groups of people and individuals. This then causes them to be set apart. As He does this, it is His intent that those who are still away from God will see the goodness of God embodied by those who are worshiping and following obediently after Him. Upon witnessing this, He hopes that those who are still in rebellion will begin to turn toward Him. In doing so, He begins to bring the chaos back to order, just as He did in the beginning of creation.
Set Apart: Israel
We see this pattern throughout a lot of Scripture. For example, as the Hebrews were led out of Egypt in the desert, God was bringing them through a purification process. His intent was that when they reached the Holy Land that He had promised them, they would be stripped clean of the things they encountered in the empire of which they were slaves. During this desert period, God was preparing a nation of people to be set apart as His own. The giving of the Law to Moses was at the core of this uniqueness. The Law was put into place to create a society that was pure and holy, but also fair and benevolent. God’s hope was that His people would think and live radically different than the other nations and empires around them, and through this, others would come to know and see the goodness of God.
Unfortunately, this set apart group of people was not able to fully carry out the uniqueness of the Law. Often they strayed from obedience and began to conform to the ways of the chaotic world around them; even to the extent of worshiping their gods. Moreover, instead of trusting the perfect nature of the Law, they sought to install a king and kingdom. Instead of carrying out the edifying economics of the Sabbath and Jubilee, they fell into greed and selfishness. The sinful, chaotic nature of the human being took over the presence of God through the Law and Prophets. This Holy Nation was unable to advance the Kingdom of God throughout the earth, though it did provide a familial line for the One who would.
Set Apart: Christ
With the coming of Christ, also came a new Covenant. The stone tablets were replaced by human flesh and the incense of burnt offerings was replaced by bloody crucifixion. And though the form now looked different, the intent was still the same; to advance the Kingdom of God on earth through people.
Through the acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be the new people, set apart by God to embody His presence and goodness. We as Christians get to take part in the great redemptive work of God. As we receive the Holy Spirit and grow in faith, the fruit of our lives begins to break down the chaotic system of the devil in the world. Christ triumphed over death, but it is through our manifestation of His love and power through the Holy Spirit that helps so many see the light and Word of God.
Set Apart: The Church
This is now our calling to be set apart; sanctified or hallowed.
The church is now the shining example that embodies the new life granted through Christ. We are called and empowered to enact and display the goodness of God to the chaotic world around us.
What does this mean for us? Is this surprising news? Can we think a little bit deeper about how we can and should live, set apart from our world, culture and society?
Living truly set apart requires that we undergo renewal, both in our hearts and minds. If after encountering and accepting Christ, our lives look the same with perhaps a little Jesus sprinkled in, then I’m afraid we are no better than the white washed tombs (Pharisees) that Jesus rebuked. This is not the installation of a new law or code of conduct, for only Christ is the fulfillment of the law, rather it is the deep sanctification that transpires as we follow the Spirit of God. Good fruit is the result.
Can we view our new life in Christ as something deep and powerful? Can we allow the fruit of the Spirit manifest in our lives? Can we be set apart but still be engaged in the chaotic lives of others? Can we employ the wisdom of God and embody purity, peace, gentleness, humility and mercy, while enacting good with sincere hearts? This will bring glory to Christ and the nations will then turn to repentance, advancing the Kingdom.
What does this have to do with the idea of social justice? More on that next week.
Simply Awesome!
Chris
May 8th, 2008