When I was a young boy, I heard many, many sermons on holiness. Pastors would often admonish their congregations, reminding them of the Lord’s words, “Be holy, for I am holy.” As a child, I learned that holiness was important to God, but I didn’t understand exactly why. However, I was certain of one thing: God wanted a holy people and I was determined to be one of them. I now understand that the Lord wants a holy people because it is right and that holiness is indispensable to fellowship with Him. In order to enter fellowship with Him, we must be like Him.
The word holy means to be separate. Separate for what, you might ask? It means that we are to be exclusively for the Lord! We are set apart for righteousness.
The Apostle Peter says, “. . . gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 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’’ (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The Apostle encourages us to gather up those thoughts that are hindrances as with a belt or a knot and secure our minds so that our progress in the Lord is not impeded as we move toward God’s goal for us. Why is our thought life of such vital importance? Proverbs 23:7 says about man, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” What you meditate on determines what you become. Psalm 1:3 gives us a clear picture of the effect on the person who meditates on the Word of God day and night, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
To be sober means that we are to have calm and collected self-controlled hearts; this enables us to see ahead clearly, without distortions. The Apostle warns us to become holy in our lifestyle and not to pattern ourselves after our former conduct, for without holiness, we will never have this fellowship with God.
To be sober means that we are to have calm and collected self-controlled hearts; this enables us to see ahead clearly, without distortions. The Apostle warns us to become holy in our lifestyle and not to pattern ourselves after our former conduct, for without holiness, we will never have this fellowship with God.
Let us walk as separated people and allow the Holy Spirit’s work to take effect in our lives, and we will have sweet and uninterrupted fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord and in it find all we’ve ever longed for.
1 comments:
Now I know how to post, but I have commented so many times and now I am not sure what to say. Pastor, once again I am glad that this post is on Holiness, and I will meditate and chew on the last part of having sweet and uninterrupted fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord. I am so glad to be a part of the kingdom. God bless you Pastor Don.
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