Set Apart
To separate something and keep it for a special purpose.
For Christians, that something is our lives. Living a life set apart means intentionally centering life on God, guided by purpose and devotion to Him alone.
As Christians, we’re called to live a life intentionally centered on God, guided by purpose and devotion. To achieve this, we can adopt three transformative practices that will help us maintain a consistent spiritual focus and live a life set apart for God.
1) Stay in the Word while living in the world; seek God’s will in everything, turning to His Book for advice, encouragement, or comfort. “And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:15-17
2) Pray frequently; capture thoughts one by one and turn them over to obey Christ’s will. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) means to maintain a constant awareness of God’s presence and a readiness to communicate with Him throughout daily life, rather than a literal, constant verbal prayer, “and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
3) Love His Church; prioritize others’ needs, striving to live in peace as far as it depends on us. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil. 2:3-4
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:11-13
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 Most importantly, and at the core of all these disciplines, love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Deuteronomy 6:4-5:
The original passage in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 states, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. “Be holy, for I am holy” is a biblical call to strive for moral purity and dedication to God, mirroring His holiness in all aspects of life, as found in 1 Peter 1:16 & Lev. 11:44
May we set apart from whatever (person, place, or thing) that threatens to set us apart from our God.
Beth Stafford, Daughters of Encouragement
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