|
What
is holiness?
In Strong’s Concordance, holy means purity
from defilement.
Sanctify is from the same word, meaning,
make holy. It is set apart; separated
to God and from sin.
I John 5:19 (TLB) “We are children of God,
but the whole rest of the world around us is under the
power of the devil.”
Col. 1:13 (NKJ) He has delivered us from the
power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of
the Son of His love.”
Phil. 2:14-15, “Do all things without
complaining or disputing that you may be blameless and
innocent, children of God without fault in the midst
of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you
shine as lights in the world.”
From only these three verses we see that there
are two groups of people on the earth; those that
belong to God, and those who don’t. And there are very many verses that tell us to be different.
But please understand that holiness is a heart
condition first; our attitudes and words.
When I was growing up, the Christians around me
thought that they must wear out-dated clothes, no
make-up, and follow a long list of things we don‘t
do, but they still couldn’t get along with each
other!
How important is it?
I Pet. 1:14-16, “…as obedient children, not
conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your
ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you
also be holy in all your conduct, because it is
written, ‘Be holy for I am holy.’”
Heb. 12:14, “Pursue peace with all people, and
holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
II Pet. 3:11, (Speaking of the end of the
world) “Therefore, since all these things will be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy
conduct and godliness.”
Is
it all up to God?
We’re
sanctified by God, Jude 1; by the blood of Jesus,
Heb.10:10, 29, 13:12; by the Holy Spirit, I Pet. 1:2;
by the Word, John 17:17; and by faith, Acts 26:18.
Do
we have a part?
Col.
1:22-23, “He has reconciled in the body of His flesh
through death, to present you holy and blameless, and
above reproach in His sight, if indeed you continue
in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not
moved away from the hope of the gospel …”
II Cor. 6:14-7:1, “Do not be unequally yoked
together with unbelievers, for what fellowship has
righteousness with lawlessness?
And what communion has light with darkness? And
what accord has Christ with (the devil)? Or what part
has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement
has the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God.
As God has said, ‘I will dwell in them,
and walk among them; I will be their God, and they
shall be My people.’
“Therefore,
‘come out from among them and be separate,’
says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I
will receive you.
I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My
sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having
these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God.”
II Tim.2:19-22, “Nevertheless, the solid
foundation of the Lord stands, having this seal, the
Lord knows those who are His. And let everyone who
names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity (sin).
But in a great house, there are not only vessels of
gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some for
honor and some for dishonor.
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself
(from sin) he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified
(holy) and useful for the Master, prepared for
every good work. Flee youthful lusts, but pursue
righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who
call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
How
do we do that?
I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.”
The secret is to admit and confess sin
immediately. Here is a testimony:
My husband T.A. was working for a company that
fixed large, electric motors. He was called to work on
one at a sewage treatment plant in San Jose, CA. While
there, he had to use the restroom, and he found a
Playboy magazine in the stall. He picked it up and
glanced through it quickly and put it down. The
restroom was finished in white tile and was spotless,
but he said he felt like he’d been dunked in the
sewage! He
cried out to God, “What do I do?” God answered him
(in his thoughts) “Confess it and go on.” He was incredulous, “That’s it?”
On the drive back to the shop, T.A. said he
still felt dirty.
He asked God about it and God said, “That’s
just guilt that Satan is trying to put on you. Praise
Me that you are forgiven.”
It’s
a growing thing
The more time you spend in the Word and
in prayer, the faster you will grow. This time
spent with God is abiding, daily getting charged with
power to live right. If you are having trouble with
quitting a sin, then this is your answer!
Know too, that the further along you are in
this, the less you can get by with.
John 15:4-5, “Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless
you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches.
He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing.”
Is
it worth it?
As long as you are spending regular times with
God, the Holy Spirit will be working in you to make
you into the person God designed you to be.
He has a wonderful life planned just for you.
This isn’t just to get you to heaven;
it’s for here on earth!
III John 2, “Beloved, I wish above all things
that you would prosper and be in health, just like
your soul prospers.”
Eph. 2:10 (Amp.) “For we are God’s own
handiwork …taking paths which He prepared ahead of
time that we should walk in them, living the good life
which He prearranged and made ready for us to live.”
Jer. 29:11, “I know the thoughts and plans I
have toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace
(Shalom also translated prosperity) and not of
evil, to give you a hope and a future.” |
