First, be holy (1-10). This chapter repeats 15 times, 'I am the Lord.' The Lord their Redeemer is holy and so his people must be holy. These are the Lord's holy commands, echoing and expanding the Ten Commandments. They express a right relationship with God and with people. They admonish us to be mindful of all people, including the poor and foreigners (10). Second, love your neighbor as yourself (11-18). Jesus, Paul and James quoted this royal law (Mt 22:39-40; Ro 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jam 2:8). To love people includes treating them fairly and helping them to see their faults (17), just as I would want to be treated and helped (Mt 7:12). To love people is not to hate, slander, mistreat, or seek revenge, but to uphold goodness, kindness, fairness, and justice.
Application: Lord God, you are holy and loving and my Redeemer. Help me to pursue your holiness and love, and forsake and repent daily of all sin that dishonors you and hurts people.
One Word: Pursue holiness and love