Day 46: Leviticus 21-23; Mark 1:1-28

One thing is certain as we read through Leviticus: our holy God deserves our first and our best. This approach and attitude is not only to be reflected in our worship, but also in our service and in our relationships. And, every good thing that we receive from His hand is to be enjoyed and treated with respect to His holiness. The standard is set high. It feels like a lot of rules and regulations that are very difficult to live up to, and indeed, viewed in black and white it is. What must be remembered is that there is a foundational approach to holiness which removes the focus from regulations to relationship. Deuteronomy 5-6 (I know we have not gotten there yet) set this conversation in the context of the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19-20). Out of these chapters come that foundational approach based on God's first loving us. Our God, Who alone is God, calls us to love Him first and best...with 'all our heart, being and resources' (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Complete Jewish Bible). Love is the primary motivator for holiness and we do not have to do this out of our own Human weakness. The good news is that God has made a way through His Holy Spirit who pours the love of God into our hearts. Invite Him to help you live out God's kind of love today. Give God your first and best, your all!