Holiness…Is Very Possible!

          There is an erroneous belief and teaching that has taken deep root in the hearts of God's children about holiness. It is taught and widely accepted that it is impossible to truly be holy while we dwell upon this earth, living in our earthly suits (flesh). The cost of this erroneous teaching is that many are cut off from seeing and being with God. It is not about how long you have been a born again Christian, the position you hold or the services you offer to the Lord. He chose us so that we will be holy and walk without blame before Him (Ephesians 1:4). Thus, it is expected that in all our conduct we will be holy as He is Holy. This was not an advice it was a command! He went further to state that without holiness no man will see God (Hebrews 12:14b). When Nadab and Abihu trifled with His holiness, they were instantly judged. The fact that it is not happening in our days does not mean the Lord has lowered His standards but His love, grace and mercy is giving us time to see our errors and quickly repent from them. Unfortunately, this trifling with the holiness of God has crippled the spiritual growth and accountability of many. One of the reasons given for this is that it is God that provides the ability to truly be holy and the inability to do otherwise is as a result of the flawed nature of man; and this flaw can only be overcome after the resurrection! Thus, the teaching goes on, our holiness at the end is assured when we gave our lives to Christ! Let’s take a closer look at the teaching again. 

        We must understand that it is Jesus Christ that chose us and not the other way round: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16). Equally, He is the One that sanctifies us: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:17-19). Friend, though the process starts with God sanctifying us (setting us on the path of holiness) by His word which is truth, but we on our part, must make every effort to live and abide by the TRUTH we have learned and are learning on a daily basis in our study and meditation on the word of God. This means we cannot "sleep" our way into holiness! Holiness is not about our dressing, what we eat and the likes. At the same time we must understand that a life that is on the path of holiness will not dress, eat or live in a manner that dishonors God: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). This means, when a person chooses to deliberately walk in ungodliness instead of holiness such becomes an adversary of God. What a frightful thought! Let’s understand, by His Spirit these three basic points to summarize the fact that we do not have an excuse but to obey totally the call of God to a holy living. Firstly, the God we serve is Holy and He commands us to be holy as well (1Peter 1:15-16). Secondly, holiness is a necessary prerequisite for a pure and fruitful relationship with God because without holiness no one can see God no matter their postulations (Hebrew 12:14): the way we pursue peace with everyone, we must pursue holiness in like manner. Lastly, the Bible clearly explains in Titus 2:11-13 that Jesus Christ is the Grace of God that brings salvation, showing us how to live holy lives even in this "present age". Remember, our faith motivates our actions and shapes the lifestyles we live and not the other way round (James 2:17). Therefore friends, don't be deceived or discouraged; if our Great Teacher, Discipler and Example Jesus Christ did it, we can and we must; our faith in Him is the enablement we need to do much more than we can ever imagine: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). To live holy lives in this perverted generation is very possible! God bless you.