About

Call to worship: Love: Hosea 4:1, Genesis 32:10a, Psalm 77:8, Psalm 130:7; Exodus 34:6-7c, Numbers 14:19a-b, Exodus 15:13; 1 John 3:1, John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10, Romans 8:35-39; Joshua 23:11, Joel 2:13, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 33:22, John 15:9, 1 John 4:19

Text: Leviticus 19:1-18

Summary:

Through His prophet, the Lord calls on His people to be holy, because the Lord their God is holy. Underlying this call is love for God above all else. Love is the affection of holiness, and holiness is the application of love. This posture of the heart will not remain hidden in secret devotion or private religion. It will become visible in deeds of faith. With respect to God, it will, without compromise, receive God's structures of authority, allegiance, and atonement, and the effect will be God-wrought formation. This is first and, from it, follows what's like it: love for those created in the image of God, and especially the household of faith. This love-filled holiness will prove tangible in self-sacrificial, God-honoring, others-edifying works, works that mirror the love of God toward us in Jesus Christ. His advent makes this plain and possible for us.

Prepare

Pray, then read Leviticus 19:1-18.