Ref: 1 Thes 4:3, Isaiah 35:8, Lev 18, 2 Cor 6:14-18, 2 cor 7:1,
Rev 21:27, Eccle9:8, 1 John 5:8, Phil 4:8, Titus 1:8, Heb 12:14
Brethren, let us welcome the Holy Spirit afresh into our hearts this moment and worship the Lord always for His mercies!
It is important to state that it is the will of God for His children to be established in holiness. A life yielded to righteousness, sanctification and purity will end up living holy and in line with God's plan.
The tragedy in the church today is that we have Christians who sing praises and worship God they do not know, we have Christians who have not grown in the things of the spirit, after many years of being in the Lord. So there are many ignorant believers who know little or nothing about God and so do not know what God requires of them.
They live in the kingdom of God like people in the world. They talk like them, dress like them, think like them and generally live a life driven by the flesh. They lack the fire to stop the work of Satan in their lives because the power of Christ is not inside and so they become captives of Satan in all manner of issues.
What is Holiness?
Holiness is living the life of Christ – the life of obedience to the Word of God and doing His will. God is holy and demands holiness from His children because it is in holy living that God is glorified. It is in a holy state that life shines before men and God; it is in a holy state that His will can be done; it is in a state of holiness in spirit, soul and body that a man would accomplish the purpose for which he is created.
Sin is a major hindrance to holiness. Sin is domiciled in the flesh, in the world and in every association with Satan and his agents. So, to walk in holiness, you must conquer Satan, the world and your flesh. Jesus Christ conquered the devil after His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness before He returned to start His earthly ministry.
To also walk in holiness, you must hate sin in all its entirety. You must separate yourself from the world, deal with sin and move closer to Jesus. The motions of sin must be resisted to ensure your right standing.
There is a great danger in remaining a baby Christian, and not growing beyond the milk level. It is not enough to be born again, the Christian must grow in the spirit and walk in the way that pleases God. Judas Ischariout was a disciple, but he ended up in hell fire, Ananias and saphira also.
The Bible said in Heb that Jesus loved righteousness and hated iniquity and He succeed in doing the will of the Father, so it is not enough to flee from sin and the world, but you must develop perfect hatred for sin in every shade and speak against it. You should see yourself as a stranger in this wicked world. Col 3:1-2 says “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is seated in heaven. Set your mind on things above and not things on the earth.
Why Holiness
Why is holiness so important to us, as children of God? It is important because the bible says in Hebrew 12:14, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord". It is the word of God, not of man
I. We Must Be Holy Because God Commanded It
God is a holy and righteous God. His eyes cannot behold iniquity, Nothing unclean, defiled and torn is permeated around Him. In 2 Cor 6:17, He asked us to come out from among the crowd, the world and, touch not unclean things, and He will receive us as His children. This implies that God does not touch unclean things and He does not want us to touch whatever is not clean. Our Saviour, Jesus says, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" - Matt. 5:20. Paul talking to the Christians in Thessalonica says: "This is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thess. 4:3). So, we must be holy as the Lord God, we are serving is Holy.
In 1 Peter, Apostle Peter introduced the conversation dimension of holiness. He says, "As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation" (1 Pet. 1:15). Believers are to be holy unto God on the inside...The spirit, in their body and in all their conversation. Filthy and corrupt communication is not expected from a holy brother or sister. The world is doing it, it proceeds from a corrupt and polluted mind, it does not edify, neither glorify God and so, we cannot follow them.
2. Jesus our Master was Holy - We Must be Holy because Christ was holy and lived that way throughout His days. In Ephesians, the Bible says: "Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it" (Eph. 5:25,26). It is through sanctification of the Spirit that we become holy and preserved unto God for every good work. Many times, we are not good enough and God is using us because we are available and willing to be used. The Lord then continues to cleanse us through His word till we are well formed in His word and willingly begin to live holy to His pleasing. The ultimate purpose of holiness is to be conformed to the image of God's Son. This is the stage when we are most fruitful in the house of God.
3. Fruitfulness
It is in our holy state, that our contribution to the work of God, no matter how small, it might be will be fruitful and productive. When we do things with the mind of Christ, our results will exceed our expectations. In our holiness, our faith is exercised boldly and there is the glory of God seen everywhere. Faith will always show itself by its fruits. Persecuted in the flesh, but will work by love, and overcome the world.
4. Living in Obedience
We are children of the Kingdom of God if we obey the command to be Holy. God says we are separated from darkness unto light to show forth His glory, which is best done in holiness. When we live in obedience, we are true sons and daughters of God. Jesus says, "If ye were Abraham's children ye would do the works of Abraham" John 8:39; "If God were your Father ye would love Me" (v. 42). When we obey the Word and live by it, we are led by the Spirit of God and sons and daughters of God.
5. Holiness helps our godliness. when we are living right, the Spirit of God guides us into all truth and gives us discernment about things to come, and our lives will always be doing good to people around us. One of the qualities of being led by the Spirit of God is that we are able to maintain a consistent lifestyle. When we know the truth and believe in it, we live by that truth consistently, to the extent that people identify with our opinion and position on certain issues.
Our joy and happiness come from every holy and righteous act we do. God has made it so, that our well-being and our well-doing be linked together. So, when you do well, help the poor, assist people in danger, rescue a dying person, or create or design life-saving equipment, your soul is happy. Let us strive to be holy and to do good.
6. Heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Holiness is written on everything in heaven. The Book of Revelation says expressly, "There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie" (Rev. 21:27).
Why is holiness so important to us, as children of God? It is important because the bible says in Hebrew 12:14, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord". It is the word of God, not of man
I. We Must Be Holy Because God Commanded It
God is a holy and righteous God. His eyes cannot behold iniquity, Nothing unclean, defiled and torn is permeated around Him. In 2 Cor 6:17, He asked us to come out from among the crowd, the world and, touch not unclean things, and He will receive us as His children. This implies that God does not touch unclean things and He does not want us to touch whatever is not clean. Our Saviour, Jesus says, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" - Matt. 5:20. Paul talking to the Christians in Thessalonica says: "This is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thess. 4:3). So, we must be holy as the Lord God, we are serving is Holy.
In 1 Peter, Apostle Peter introduced the conversation dimension of holiness. He says, "As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation" (1 Pet. 1:15). Believers are to be holy unto God on the inside...The spirit, in their body and in all their conversation. Filthy and corrupt communication is not expected from a holy brother or sister. The world is doing it, it proceeds from a corrupt and polluted mind, it does not edify, neither glorify God and so, we cannot follow them.
2. Jesus our Master was Holy - We Must be Holy because Christ was holy and lived that way throughout His days. In Ephesians, the Bible says: "Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it" (Eph. 5:25,26). It is through sanctification of the Spirit that we become holy and preserved unto God for every good work. Many times, we are not good enough and God is using us because we are available and willing to be used. The Lord then continues to cleanse us through His word till we are well formed in His word and willingly begin to live holy to His pleasing. The ultimate purpose of holiness is to be conformed to the image of God's Son. This is the stage when we are most fruitful in the house of God.
3. Fruitfulness
It is in our holy state, that our contribution to the work of God, no matter how small, it might be will be fruitful and productive. When we do things with the mind of Christ, our results will exceed our expectations. In our holiness, our faith is exercised boldly and there is the glory of God seen everywhere. Faith will always show itself by its fruits. Persecuted in the flesh, but will work by love, and overcome the world.
4. Living in Obedience
We are children of the Kingdom of God if we obey the command to be Holy. God says we are separated from darkness unto light to show forth His glory, which is best done in holiness. When we live in obedience, we are true sons and daughters of God. Jesus says, "If ye were Abraham's children ye would do the works of Abraham" John 8:39; "If God were your Father ye would love Me" (v. 42). When we obey the Word and live by it, we are led by the Spirit of God and sons and daughters of God.
5. Holiness helps our godliness. when we are living right, the Spirit of God guides us into all truth and gives us discernment about things to come, and our lives will always be doing good to people around us. One of the qualities of being led by the Spirit of God is that we are able to maintain a consistent lifestyle. When we know the truth and believe in it, we live by that truth consistently, to the extent that people identify with our opinion and position on certain issues.
Our joy and happiness come from every holy and righteous act we do. God has made it so, that our well-being and our well-doing be linked together. So, when you do well, help the poor, assist people in danger, rescue a dying person, or create or design life-saving equipment, your soul is happy. Let us strive to be holy and to do good.
6. Heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Holiness is written on everything in heaven. The Book of Revelation says expressly, "There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie" (Rev. 21:27).
What is walking in Holiness?
1. To walk in holiness is to know that God is holy and everyone that will approach Him must acknowledge that He is holy and glorify Him. God, Himself told Moses, whose sons God slew for offering strange sacrifices unto the Lord, that all persons that will approach Him must know He is holy and therefore worship Him according to God's terms.
2. It is to walk circumspectly every day, allowing your ways, thoughts and actions to fall in line with God’s will and plan.
3. In reverence, doing His will and striving to excel...to complete its course for you.
4. Be mindful of His requirements of love, peace and holiness from us and follow after these things diligently, knowing that God will never compromise His standards.
5. Forgetting the past and never be carried away by what you have achieved or what God is doing through you, and lose focus of God’s holiness. God is a righteous God and in all things, it is those who continue and persevere in their good works that will inherit eternal life. But He is merciful to guide those that fear Him and help us to end well - That will be your portion in Jesus' name!
6. Accept His chastening and afflictions that may come to you as good for you, knowing that troubles draw us closer to Him, to know Him more and serve Him in spirit and truth. With this understanding, we are happy to serve the Lord in times of plenty and in times of lack. We are not offended by God, or thinking of going back to 'Egypt'...and by perseverance, we are perfecting holiness with fear of God.
7. You are continuous and fervent in prayer, waiting on Him always.
8. To follow after holiness is to think and meditate on things that are pure, just, honest, true and lovely. Things that are of good report and virtuous things that edify your spirit Phil 4:8.
9. To walk in holiness is also to deal with sin, besetting sin, and immoral thoughts because they are not pure and do not edify. Things that offended you in the past, past worldly pleasures should be removed from your mind. Break the bridge of your past wrongs, don’t meditate on them, rather pray to God to wipe those wrong images off your heart. Let the Holy Ghost wipe them off the Camera on your forehead and deliver you from their torment. If you pray this prayer, God will help you.
10. To follow after holiness is to hold your body in sanctification to honour God in your body and present it as a living sacrifice unto God. Meaning you control your body, cover yourself properly and do not defile your body with a strange man or woman or immoral acts. It also means that you don’t dress to please yourself or to please people, you don’t dress to show you have arrived, and you don’t dress to look like worldly people who do not know God. They are not your standard for anything, but you dress to please God and your life is not controlled by what people would say.
11. It also means to control your tongue and every word that comes out of your mouth – Surrender your tongue to God, avoid idle words, ensuring holiness in all manner of conversation.
12. To follow after holiness is to live in love with God and man. Beloved, God is love. The first indication of a love life is the willingness to give, and share what you have with others. Your giving must be for a purpose and not just for the sake of giving. You must love your enemies and those that use you despitefully; you should be willing to help someone in need, without waiting for him to ask for that help. You must also forgive your offenders. You must not think or do evil to your neighbour and his household. Anyone who cannot forgive, cannot love - for there is no love with forgiveness.
13. To follow after holiness is to follow peace with all men Heb 12:14, as a requirement for seeing God...Remember what Jesus Christ told the People, that if they bring gifts to the church and there remember that someone has an issue with them, they should leave their gift there and go first to reconcile with the person, and thereafter come back to the church to present their gift. This tells us that love and reconciliation are more important to God than our gifts. Whether it is a seed offering or a gift intended for the church, it will produce benefits when offered with a pure heart.
Finally, holiness is by His grace. You cannot force holiness by your own power, but as you study and obey His word, and spend time with Him daily, His grace is released into your life. The grace that quickens you into what is right, warns you about what is evil and generally makes you to love righteousness. It is not automatic, but slow and steady.
How much do you know about God, His glory and majesty? Those who know Him, trust Him. Those who know Him hate sin passionately, and those who know Him detach themselves from the things of this world.
Holiness is developed. It is not automatic as you give your heart to Jesus, but a lifestyle of commitment to God you will have to develop through trusting and depending on the Lord for all things. No matter the need you have, when you pray to God, commit such a 'need' to God and believe Him to solve the problem for you.
What to do:
How much do you know about God, His glory and majesty? Those who know Him, trust Him. Those who know Him hate sin passionately, and those who know Him detach themselves from the things of this world.
Without holiness, no eyes shall see the Lord, so holiness is not an option. It is not an afterthought, it is the victorious life of Christ, we are called to live here on earth. It is, therefore, your profitable duty to seek to know the Lord deeply, because there is no one that knows the Lord that will not fear and reverence Him. Everyone that fears the Lord always seek to please Him. Holiness is one of the requirements for seeing God and enjoying eternity with Him.
Be patient and know that He is God. Desist from trying to help yourself. By trying to help yourself, agents of Satan seeking to help you will put the person in bondage. Know for sure that whatever you received from the devil is with much pain and when you need that thing most, you will not find it.
Be Patient
Heb 12:1, says that seeing that we are compassed about with a great crowd of witnesses, we should run the race ahead of us with patience...Why? It is because the race to eternity is a lifelong race; a marathon and we need to have a pure heart and free spirit to remain faithful till the end. Let us be patient and endure hardship that may come our way - for our spiritual growth.
Heb 12:1, says that seeing that we are compassed about with a great crowd of witnesses, we should run the race ahead of us with patience...Why? It is because the race to eternity is a lifelong race; a marathon and we need to have a pure heart and free spirit to remain faithful till the end. Let us be patient and endure hardship that may come our way - for our spiritual growth.
Why is the joy of spending eternity in heaven no longer in the heart of many Christians? Why are sin and the pleasures of the world more important than studying the word of God? The reason is that these Christians have no hunger to know the Lord deeply and walk with Jesus. They are not willing to live in obedience to the Word of God and to seek His holiness. That is not your portion in Jesus Christ's name.
From the scriptures, it is clear that holiness is not negotiable, therefore child of God - Love holiness, desire it and make it a way of life. Believers that ignore holiness have not started the race to eternity.
In holiness, you see yourself as a vessel reserved for the services of God. You are a vessel unto honour, whose life and walk is by faith in Christ. You are not the owner of yourself anymore, you belong to Christ. May this be your portion and mine till the end in Jesus' name.
FIRE...
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