GOLDEN THREAD OF HOLINESS

Living a Set Apart Life

Holiness is a word that, in many instances, evokes a rather negative mental response, especially by those who don’t understand what true holiness is.  Let’s take a peek at a couple of verses talking about holiness in God’s Word.

Lev 20:7 says "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God."

Matt 5:48 says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

It doesn’t matter whether we seek to understand the word “holy” in the Old or New Testament; the need for God’s people to be holy is like a golden thread woven throughout the entire Word of God.

The question is what is holiness?  Holiness is living a life set apart from the world’s influence and separated from sin while being yoked (bound) together with Christ.  In essence, holiness is righteousness in action.

Holiness is not based on outward appearance, although your outward appearance will most definitely reflect the Righteous One living within.

Holiness is not a rigid set of do’s and don’ts, although one walking in holiness will refrain from all appearance of evil and do all as unto the Lord.

Living a life of holiness is the duty and should be the desire of every Christian.  We should strive to be holy in all manner of conversation, in every area of our lives, toward all people, in business affairs, and in all circumstances - when we're prosperous or otherwise.

We are to imitate God ... God is holy.  He is perfectly, unchangeably, and eternally holy; and we should desire to be like Him.

The Word of God will lead us and guide us on our path toward holiness.  The Word of God is alive and is able to prune us, cutting away from us all that which is unpleasing in the sight of the Lord.  Read it and accept its convicting power; follow it and give God the glory due His name by living a life holy unto the Lord.

Father, take my mind and transform it; take my will and conform it to Your will.  Help me to be holy even as You are holy, amen.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  (Ephesians 4:22-24)