God had chosen a people to represent Him on Earth. They were called to be a holy nation, a nation separated from the rest(Leviticus 20:26). But this is where it hit me, God did not just call Israel to be a holy nation so He could separate them from everyone around and put them on a remote place on Earth. No, God placed them right in the heart of all commerce, trade, and the center of the known world. He wanted the world to know who He is, and His plan was to do so through the nation that He personally picked out and called to be Holy. God told the Israelites that this will be your land, this is your inheritance and you will possess it in my name as I have set you apart(Leviticus 20:24).
This means that God wanted to separate his chosen people and to keep them Holy, but not for themselves, but to show other nations that there is a one true God. And only He can protect them. It is through the law and lifestyle of the Israelites that the world would come to know who God is. That is why God took it so seriously when they started worshiping other gods. He was jealous for His name and the covenant He made to the people He had chosen out of the world. He took their sin more seriously because of their responsibility to be a nation of priests. God did not want his name to be tarnished by their actions.
What does this mean to us? First, it is important that if you call yourself a Christian, that if you follow God and He has chosen you out of the world through the Holy Spirit, then you are also called to be holy. To be a representation to the world and to be the light of Christ and to be the salt of the earth. You are set apart. This task should be taken seriously as we are not to live as part of the world. You have been separated, you have been chosen to show Christ to others and to represent who He is on this Earth. Do not tarnish the name of God.
Secondly, we are not told be a Christian and live like a hermit. God placed Israel right in the center of the known world for a reason. The world was to know who God was by the example and life style of the Jews. That means that we are as well to be an example of God's glory. To be the witnesses to the world of what God has done in and through us.
We are called to be holy and not to be a part of this world. But at the same time, we are not to remove ourselves from it. Be a light to those around you, let people see what God has done in your life, and do not let failures hold you back. God will work through you as long as you are humble and willing to be led by the Holy Spirit. The worst thing you can do is to keep what God has done for you to yourself.
