A Call to Holiness

                 “Without Holiness, you will not see the Lord.”– John Piper

Hi Brothers and Sisters,

Happy New Year! With the rush of new goals, excitement, and the freshness of a new year it is easy to fall back into old habits if you aren’t self-disciplined and dedicated to life a holy lifestyle. This word has been on my heart for a while and God told me to move and stop sitting on it. While spending time with God, he let me on something. People are attending church and owning the “Christian” title without putting in the work.

You may be wondering what is the work? I read my bible, I attend church every Sunday, I attend bible study, and I post scriptures on Instagram. None of that is defined as holy, but a routine. Putting in the work is simply having a heart after Jesus and continually seeking him when things aren’t going your WAY! I don’t want to ever get stuck in a routine in any capacity, especially not with Jesus because Jesus isn’t average or mediocre. Through fervent fellowship we find out that he is exciting and a forever friend. He never changes, but is multi-faceted, omnipresent. I realized, I cannot ever spend too much time with him because his fullness is mind blowing. He will teach you something new, if you let him. Hint: Let him! So, what is holiness? I have found three definitions of Holiness.

Holiness:

(1): Applied to human beings, holiness is purity of heart or dispositions.

(2): Sacredness; the state of anything hallowed or consecrated to God or to his worship.

(3) That which is separated to the service of God.

 In my opinion, holiness is a heart posture and is formed there and outwardly it is presented in our actions, dispositions, and moral goodness. In the second definition, holiness is attributed to sacredness. How wonderful is it to be sacred in the sight of the Lord? Most commonly, this is applied to churches and temples defined as holy ground. A verse that clearly draws the line from evil and good, spirit and flesh is our handbook to what we should be doing in the body of Christ. Let’s look at the Good book of Galatians. In fact, the acts of the flesh are outlined clearly. “The acts of the flesh are obvious, sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, discord, jealously, rage, rivalness, divisons, factions. In verse 21, it states that those who practice these things won’t enter the Kingdom of God. Another verse that is important will defining holiness is 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.

Verse 13 stands out exceptionally to me. It states, “May he strengthen our hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of God and father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with his holy ones.”  Two words that stand out to me in this verse is the words holy and blameless. To live holy, is to be devoted to the service of God. Giving up your will and serving God. While blameless is defined as innocent of wrong doing; without fault; innocent. Many times, we lose our cool, we aren’t in control but this Christian walk and living holy cannot be done alone. Where God leads, he also guides. The Lord himself will fight for you! (See Exodus 14:14)

Exodus 15 is just as important. In this chapter, Moses and the people of Israel where singing to songs to the Lord. However, we recall how the children of Israel were separated from the Lord from their own disobedience and God cut them off! In verse 13, the unfailing love of God is made clear. “With unfailing love, you will lead these people and you will guide them in your strength to the place where your holiness dwells.”

To live a holy life we are to live a life apart from the secular world. Meaning we cannot succumb to things of this world and live our life like the World. (See Romans 12:12). Therefore, we must guard our hearts(Prov 4:23) against the things that will ultimately harm out souls such as empty chatter, music, television, etc. It is by these things that we reflect Christ.

1.     You must possess a holy lifestyle.

2.     Love and holiness must always co-exist.

You cannot love God and not live holy. The two cannot be separated. “Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

3.     Salvation doesn’t equate to holiness.

We cannot stop at salvation, but we must go deeper and make a conscious effort to live holy. What is stopping you from walking in holiness? People bondage, comparison, sin, anger, or complaining. Hebrews 12:14 states “Try to live in peace with everyone to be holy; w/o holiness no one will see the Lord.”

Salvation is not enough to live holy, but it is a start. I am reminded of Leviticus 19:2 and I know that holiness is not a suggestion, but a commandment.

Tell the Devil the Bet is STILL ON!

God hasn’t forgotten about you.

Keep Pressing!

XO,

Nikia A. Handy