We Need to Talk About Holiness, Y'all

What does it mean to be “holy”? It's time to have a real conversation about this, because let's face it, the concept of holiness is complex AF. Some people might think of it as something unattainable, reserved only for religious elites or God themself. But y'all, that's some BS. Holiness is for everyone, and it's all about practicality.

First things first, let's keep religion and government separate. We don't want another Hitler situation, where some dude is proclaimed as "God’s gift" and mixes religion with politics. Hard pass.

I'm a firm believer that God expects us to strive for holiness in our daily lives. And when I say "holy," I'm talking about practical spirituality. This isn't some far-fetched, unattainable concept. It's about living a life rooted in love and goodness, y'know, the kinda stuff that makes our lives meaningful.

Let's look at Genesis, where God creates all people, regardless of gender or tribal affiliations, in God’s image. And y'all, God said we were "very good" (Genesis 1:27, 31). Then, in Leviticus, God tells Moses to tell the people to live a holy life, just as God is holy (Leviticus 19:2). It's like, hey, we're made in God's image, so let's reflect that in how we treat each other.

John the Baptist, a total badass, told crowds to repent and change their ways. And when they asked, "What should we do?" (Luke 3:10), he didn't give some vague answer. He said, "Share your damn coats and food with those who need it" (Luke 3:11). Practical goodness, y'all. That's what holiness is about.

Even Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, told his followers to "Be perfect as God is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Now, I know what you're thinking. "Girl, no one's perfect." But perfection isn't about being flawless. It's about striving for goodness and holiness in our actions and choices.

And let's not forget Paul, who was all about good works. He wrote to the Ephesians, saying we were created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). It's like, girl, you were made to be holy by doing good! And his letter to the Colossians is basically a list of holy traits, like compassion, kindness, and peace (Colossians 3:12-15). It's a reminder that holiness is a choice we make every day.

So, let's stop confined holiness to some unreachable pedestal. It's not just for the "otherworldly" beings. Holiness is for all of us, and it starts with practical, love-centric choices and actions. Let's choose to be holy in how we treat each other and ourselves.

About the Author:

Walt Shelton is a woke AF author, speaker, and part-time Professor at Baylor Law School. He leads progressive discussion groups at The Church at Highland Park in Austin, where he challenges the status quo. His books include "The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living_ " and "Authentic Living in All Seasons: Focused, Fearless, and Balanced . Check out his website here._