HOLINESS

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to HOLINESS, and the end, everlasting life – Romans 6:22

HOLINESS is a prerequisite to possessing your possessions (Obad.17). Holiness is the nature of God that makes Him perfect. He hates sin and impurity; and is of purer eyes than to behold evil (Hab.1:13). Holiness is thus a requirement of God from us His children as we approach His throne of grace. He is a holy God, therefore He wants His children to be holy: “...Be holy for I am holy” (1Pet. 1:16). But, we must understand the route to holiness before we can live holy lives. Holiness is the fruit of righteousness (Rom. 6:22). Fruit is not forced; it is nurtured. When you live right, you will be holy. For a Christian to live a holy life, he or she must break free from sin by believing in Jesus Christ who is our righteousness. Only a righteous person can live in holiness. New Living Translation of Romans 6:22c says: “…Now you do those things that lead to holiness.” “Those things” refer to acts of righteousness, which bear the fruit of holiness in our lives to the glory of God.

In practical terms however, Divine Encounter and Discipline are two vital pathways to holiness. Isaiah describes a life-changing encounter he had with God at the inception of his ministry (Isa.6:1-2). An encounter with God brings three things: (1) A sense of His holiness and our lowliness; (2) An acknowledgment of our inadequacy; and (3) Humility and a hunger for more of Him. Measuring our holiness by those around us just lulls us into thinking we're living a committed life when we’re not. So, God calls us to an encounter with Him to cleanse, empower, and send us out to fulfil His purposes. As for discipline, it hurts, but it is a pathway to holiness: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peacable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb.12:11). When on the receiving end of discipline, we hate it. We whine, groan, moan, and complain. The flesh rises up to defend, rebel, and justify. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening; it’s painful! Chastening or Discipline hurts! But God promises to bring forth fruit from divine discipline, as its outward effect. Each time God disciplines us, He moves us closer and closer to holiness.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid the ultimate price in giving His life. He allowed His blood to be shed so that He could be the Sacrifice of all sacrifices – the final and complete sacrifice. Jesus’ death set us free from sin and death and paved our way to a life of holiness. Beloved, your body is a sanctuary, a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit of God that must be carried with dignity and kept holy. Anybody who refuses to keep his or her body holy will incur the wrath of God. The Almighty God lives in, protects and uses anybody that is kept holy but destroys those who dishonor their bodies. Carry your vessel – your body – in sanctification. You must avoid at all cost, impure heart, sexual immorality and other such sins which defile a person (Mk.7:21-22). As you let Jesus – the Giver of Eternal Life – into your heart, He takes your sins away and gives you His righteousness. He – the Way, the Truth, and the Life – will lead you to the Father (Jh.14:6).

God demands that you: “Pursue peace with all men, and HOLINESS, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb.12:14). Jesus lived in total Holiness while on earth and therefore can help you live a holy life. Holiness moves the hand of God and will cause you to possess your possessions. Today decide to live a holy life and you will see the glory of God. God loves holiness; and He uses the holy: “For the prophecy never came by the will of man, but HOLY men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2Pet. 1:21). Live holy and be blessed.