Week 1

To be set apart means to be different or uncommon. People usually have different reasons, motivations, and perspectives on being set apart. Some may want to stand above the rest and be recognized as the best in a certain field or career, while others may want to be considered unique.

As believers, our ultimate goal and motivation for being set apart is to honor God with our lives. To honor or to glorify means to give value and weight to something or someone. To honor God then means to give value and reverence to God in every aspect and area of our lives. Because God is holy, He wants us to be holy and consecrated to Him (Leviticus 11:44).

How are we set apart for God’s honor? In Mark 7, the Pharisees ask

Jesus a question in order to trap Him. From Jesus’ answer, we are

given an idea on what it means to truly honor God. Jesus tells them that people try to honor God with their words, yet not with their hearts. They attempt to honor God with lip service alone, but their hearts are far from Him. To truly honor God, we should wholeheartedly seek Him and His will for us. We ought to seek to have a genuine, intimate, and intentional relationship with Him.

Furthermore, Jesus tells them that people worship God in vain, only doing so with empty rituals and hollow attempts to obey the law. While these rituals and traditions matter, the Pharisees missed the importance and heart behind it all: to honor and glorify God. We honor God in our words and actions when we worship Him in spirit and truth, recognizing Him for who He truly is (John 4:23). We also worship God by following His commands. We live not for men, but for God. Everything that we do, we do to honor God and follow Him, making disciples on our campuses, in our communities, and in every nation.

Respond:

1. Do you have a healthy relationship with God? What areas of your life need to be aligned to His word and lived out for His honor?

2. Take some time to check the motivations of your heart. Why do you do what you do? Would you say it is only to fulfill your selfish desires, or is it to honor God?

Faith Step:

Surrender the areas in your life that do not currently honor Him. Ask Him to work in you and trust Him to work through you.

Pray:

We ask You,

Holy Spirit,

to point out areas in our hearts that need

to be surrendered to You. May we have a

deeper understanding of Your word to

obey and honor You in everything. We pray

that our hearts would be deeply connected

to You as we grow in our relationship with

You. May we encounter You every day and

reflect Your life and grace to everyone

we meet.

In Jesus’ name,

amen.