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The morning of a game day, I always knew exactly what I’d be wearing. If it was a year we had a flight suit, that’s what I wore. Otherwise, it was dress pants and a nice top. Not my typical jeans and a t-shirt look, we had to dress-up. Our coaches instilled in us that we were to look nice because we were a representation of our school. They were proud that we looked different from other teams as it showed discipline and unity within our players.
Moses reminds the people there are certain animals they could eat and others they couldn’t. God had several reasons, but in Deuteronomy 14:2 He gives us a key to understanding why.
“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deuteronomy 14:2)
While others may have done as they pleased, the Israelites were called to be different. It wasn’t just food. In chapter 13, we saw the command to not worship false gods and idols. They had rules for every part of daily life – finances, diet, worship, friendship and forgiveness, marriage, etc. All of it pointed back to one thing – holiness.
“Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)
They were to be set apart from all others so that they would be known as God’s children; their lives should reflect God’s glory.
He still calls us to be different.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)
If we have our faith and trust in Christ, He has saved us from our sins. We are no longer the same person. We are a new creation! We are clothed in His righteousness! So why do we still look like the rest of the world? God has called us to be set apart. Examine your life and your heart today. Do your desires point you to Jesus or to this world?
It’s game day. What will you be wearing?
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