The dictionary definition of holy is dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred. The word translated holy in the Bible in Hebrew actually means separated or set apart. We are commanded to be holy. Literally told to be set apart for God. It is easy to say that we are Christians but not so easy to live as one.
Are You Sober?
Where is our holiness? Often, I see people ask for prayer, which is always a good thing, but as I scroll through their social media I will see links to obscene music, pictures of inappropriate behavior, jokes that are off color, exclamations using the Lord's name in a careless way, etc. Where is our consistency? Where is our soberness as Peter tells us?
"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”" I Peter 1: 13-16 (NIV)
In this verse, sober, means not to be overly influenced by things that can make us stray from good judgement. Sober minded means to have self-control.
Grow In Holiness
Many of us have had experiences with Jesus, but then we just stop. We remember that one time when we knew we needed to be saved; when we called on Him and we became a Christian. The expectation for a Christian however, is that they will continue to grow in holiness. Paul says to the Corinthians that since we have these promises, we should cleanse ourselves from "the filthiness of the flesh and spirit" and we should perfect holiness while we fear God (2 Corinthians 7:1). In I Thessalonians 4:7 we are told that we are called to holiness, not uncleanness.
Set Apart For God
We should be separate, noticeably so, from the culture around us. We should be different in every facet of our life.
as obedient children we should strive to truly repent and turn from sin,
we should avoid placing ourselves in situations that we know will cause us to be tempted to sin,
we should pray,
we should study the Word "to show ourselves approved" as Paul says in 2 Timothy 2: 15,
we should love others, especially those who seem so unlovable to us,
we should strive to live a humble life, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Philippians 2: 3,
we should show self-control. This is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 22-23.
We Are Given Power
A holy person according to the 2 Timothy 1: 7 has not been given a spirit of fear or timidness but the Spirit "gives us power, love and self-discipline." (NIV) The disciples showed this. They went from hiding in an upper room to preaching to thousands with great power and authority after they received the Holy Spirit.
Works Of The Flesh v Works Of The Spirit
In Galatians 5 Paul contrasts a life led that only has works of the flesh. He lists these in verses 19-21: "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries". Then he compares a Christian life, a holy life, in verses 22-23. This list is far different from the one above: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. "
Do we live a life set apart for God? Paul says in Galatians 5: 21 that those who practice works of the flesh, "...will not inherit the kingdom of God." The Holy Spirit changes us. We should not be the person we were before we became a Christian. We should be transformed. These verses don't say that we will lead a perfect life, but that we will lead a life that strives for holiness. A life that strives to be set apart for God.
Our Goal Is Holiness
Our goal is to be a light to the nations, a city on a hill, wheat among the tares (Matthew 13: 24-30) that shows the world a better way to live. In fact, the only way to live, if a person desires to know truth. Do we choose love? Do we choose the characteristics of a Spirit filled life that shows the fruits of the Spirit? Do others see Christ in us? This is a choice we make daily in our encounters with others, from the smallest interactions with strangers, to the daily walk we live in our home with our family.
"The holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness which remains in him." ~ C. S. Lewis
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