Being Set Apart

There's something powerful about standing at a crossroads and choosing a different path than everyone else around you. Picture a high school classroom where students are passing around answers to an upcoming test. The temptation is real—an easy A versus the uncertainty of your own knowledge. But what happens when conviction whispers louder than convenience? What happens when you choose integrity over instant gratification, even if it means walking away with a C-minus instead of a stolen A?
That choice—that moment of decision—represents something far greater than academic honesty. It represents what it means to be set apart.

The Misunderstood Concept of Holiness
In our modern world, holiness isn't exactly trending. Nobody gathers at social events talking about their pursuit of holiness. It's not a virtue our culture celebrates or even understands. Many people hear the word "holy" and immediately think of self-righteousness, judgment, or an impossible standard of perfection that seems both unattainable and unappealing.
But biblical holiness is something entirely different.

The Oxford Dictionary defines holy as "dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred." Think of the Holy Bible itself—set apart, consecrated, sacred. This isn't about earning badges of moral superiority or checking off a spiritual to-do list. It's about being dedicated to God's purposes and reflecting His character in a world that desperately needs to see it.

God's Call to Be Different
Throughout Scripture, God consistently calls His people to be set apart. In Leviticus 20:26, God tells the Israelites: "You shall be holy to me, for I am the Lord. I am holy and I have separated you from the peoples that you should be mine." This wasn't just an ancient command for one nation—it's a timeless principle that extends to all believers.

The apostle Peter echoes this call in his first letter, describing Christians as "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people." We're no longer defined by our past mistakes, our failures, or our former identity. Instead, we're defined by what Christ has done—creating something entirely new within us.

This is why we're called Christians—because we're Christ-like. We bear His image. We reflect His character. We belong to a different kingdom.

Standing on Holy Ground
Remember Moses at the burning bush? God instructed him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. There was reverence, awe, even fear in that encounter. Moses couldn't even look directly at God's face because of the overwhelming holiness of that moment.

Sometimes we lose that sense of awe. We forget we're addressing the Creator of the universe, the Sovereign Lord, the King of Kings. Yet this same holy God desires relationship with us. He doesn't keep His distance—He draws near.

The remarkable truth is that we're constantly on holy ground because Jesus lives within us. The church isn't a building; it's the people. The Holy Spirit dwells in believers, making us living temples. We no longer need special rooms or elaborate purification rituals to encounter God's presence. He's with us, in us, forever—just as Jesus promised.

The Transformation From Within
True holiness isn't about external performance or religious appearances. It's an inner transformation accomplished by the Holy Spirit. When we become believers, something fundamental shifts inside us. We begin to think differently, desire differently, act differently.
Suddenly, we want to serve when we never wanted to before. We're drawn to worship when it once seemed boring or irrelevant. We hunger for God's Word when we previously had no interest. These aren't manufactured changes—they're the natural result of the Holy Spirit working within us.

Holiness involves a deep work of the heart, completely submitted to Christ, governing our thoughts, words, and behaviors. It comes from spending time in relationship with Jesus, learning from His Word, and allowing His teaching to shape every aspect of our lives.

Five Pathways to Living Set Apart
First, pursue purity. Let your thoughts, words, and deeds glorify God. As Ephesians reminds us, let no corrupt word come from your mouth, but only what builds others up and imparts grace. What we say matters. How we think matters. Our actions should reflect the kingdom we serve.

Second, practice obedience. Align your actions with God's will, even when it's difficult. Jesus said, "He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me." Obedience isn't legalism—it's love in action. It's showing God that His desires matter more than our convenience.

Third, yield to the Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit guide your attitudes and responses. Too often, we're so self-reliant and self-sufficient that there's no room for the Spirit to lead us. We plan our lives in rigid increments, leaving no space for divine appointments or unexpected redirections. But when we yield control, we discover God can make us more fruitful than our best-laid plans ever could.

Fourth, imitate Christ. Live like Jesus in all circumstances. Ask yourself regularly: What would Jesus do in this situation? How would He respond? What would His priorities be? The more we know His Word, the better we can answer these questions.

Fifth, embrace the process. Sanctification—becoming more like Christ—is a lifelong journey. We're not perfect yet, and that's okay. God continues growing us, shaping us, refining us. While God is perfectly holy, our holiness is a process requiring ongoing reliance on His grace and forgiveness.

The Abundant Life
The world may not care about holiness, but don't let that stop you from desiring it. Jesus came that we might have life abundantly—not a restricted, joyless existence, but a full, meaningful, purposeful life that makes a difference.

Being set apart doesn't mean being isolated or irrelevant. It means being a rebel with a cause—choosing God's ways in a world that's chosen otherwise. It means holding up that C-minus with pride because you chose integrity over compromise, and in doing so, you remained available for God to use you in powerful ways.

Through the lens of Jesus Christ, God already sees you as holy. You've been set apart for Him for such a time as this. You are His holy people.

Now walk in it.

To watch Full Sermon "Being Set Apart" Click Here