Saturday, 5 December 2015

Be Ye Holy


Scripture: 1 Peter 1 v 1 - 16:
Verse 15 - 16: "But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Hebrews 12 v 14:  "Without holiness, no man will see God."

Peter writes to us rejoicing that we are elect of God, chosen of God to participate in the grace of sanctification - being made holy and separated to God for His great plan to work. He has a mighty salvation plan that flows together when we are filled with faith and trust.

Being separated to God means being separated from some other things. We must separate ourselves from our former, sinful lifestyle. For example if we earned our living as a striptease dancer that would no longer be appropriate. There is no holiness in men lustfully ogling women's bodies. It is sinful and harmful to the soul.

There are other occupations that would need to change if you were following Jesus. You could no longer push drugs; print pornography; be involved in slavery; make or sell occultic games like ouija boards, dungeons and dragons, demonic video games, statues of demon gods like Buddha, books on witchcraft and satanism. None of these kind of activities will give a good witness to your new holy life.

Sometimes we need to separate from our old crowd of worldly friends.  The peer pressure factor is present at all ages. If you came from an ungodly, blaspheming, drug-taking, bunch of friends it will be very difficult to stay true to Jesus while you are with them. God says come out from among them and be separated to Me.

We have an incorruptible inheritance reserved in Heaven. It is not subject to loss or taxes of any kind. Our faith is on trial as we meet each day with its many worldly temptations and there is great victory when we submit to the Lord and defeat the enemy. It takes discipline and determination to make the changes.

The things the Holy Spirit has revealed causes angels to be curious as they do not know about these deep spiritual matters of the gospel. Stay far away from your former sins and lusts and let your conversation be clean and pure. As you get closer to the Lord the more you value the cleanness of your heart. You also realise that compared to His holiness you have a long way to go to reach your goal.

Because it is written Be ye holy for I am holy. Jesus wants us to become pure and holy like He is not in a religious way but because we love Him and want to be like Him.  It is a privilege to grow to be like Him. A work in progress that will continue until He comes for us. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father we are so blessed to be Your children. Cleanse our lives of everything that displeases You. Let us be holy vessels in Your eyes. It is our love and respect for You that motivates us toward holiness. Let us not give up the goal. In Jesus' name. Amen.