Set Apart

Back in the Old Testament story we read about things like priestly garments, lampstands, and bowls being subjected to rituals of cleansing.  Once cleansed they became holy and were to be used for holy purposes.  Things and objects were set apart for holy purposes.  Of course, such a practice is not a primitive practice, but as current as today.  Our church buildings are set apart for holy purposes as are the objects within them.   When a something new such as a cross, or a communion table, or a piano is given, there is always a service of consecration.  No longer is the object regarded just as a table or a piano, but as something which is holy.

 

It is not just objects which are made holy, but people like you and me.  And it is not just the ordained folks who wear the robes and stoles who are holy, but all of us who bear the marking of one of the baptized ones.  The Scripture refers to believers in Jesus as saints.  This is not a term reserved for those who have followed Jesus for a certain number of years, or received an appropriate education, or who have joined one church or another.  It is how God would have each believer see himself or herself.  We have been made holy and set apart through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the grace given from that single act.

 

When the Word refers to the saints, it is referring to folks like you and me.  All of us.  Each of us.  No one is excluded.  Therefore, as a believer in Jesus we have, like some of the holy things in our places of worship, been set apart for holy purposes.  God has a plan for each one of us.  We are His holy people, those set apart not for our purposes, but for His purposes.  We are surely sinners, but saints also because of the incredible life changing grace of God.