Let me be clear from the beginning; we are holy only because the Holy Spirit  Himself dwells in us as Christians.  There are no works by which we are made holy other than the work of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Christ.  Holiness is necessary, for without it no one will see God.  

Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  Hebrews 12:14 ESV  Why does the word teach us to strive for holiness if it is impossible to obtain it by ourselves?  It is because it bears witness of He who lives in you….Jesus Christ.  Jesus / the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out other wise we are just white washed tombs. Jesus said it best, “Woe to you,scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside are full of greed and self-indulgence .  You blind Pharisee!  First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Matthew 23: 25-26 ESV    Being a Christian is only possible because of the inside job  the Holy Spirit did in your life.   So let us reflect upon this call and how it is possible to live holy in the world.

    First, you must realize who you are in Christ and the fact that you are the only holy light some people may ever see.  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV 

    Secondly: Recognize and worship the Holiness of God in the present as we will one day in our heavenly home.  As the four living creatures in Revelation 4, we need to recognize him day and night as “Holy, holy,holy, is the Lord God almighty.”   We need not and should not wait for the day when we enter into his kingdom to worship his holiness.  When worshiping His holiness, it will cause us to view God in the light of his holiness thus growing in us the desire to be more like Him. As redeemed, forgiven of all our sins, let us worship him in his holiness and not give ourselves to the former life from which we were saved.  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV 

      Thirdly: Do everything you can to emulate Jesus.  Study how Jesus walked when He became flesh and lived among us.   Live as He lived… in obedience to His purpose….all the way to the cross.  In three of the gospels Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23 Jesus said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”    

Christian, we must realize that we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus, and we are not our own. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV  When you glorify God in your body, you will be an example of holiness- not your own but His.

      I know that many will say there is no way a person can live holy in today’s world and you would be correct if you were trying to do so in your own strength.  However, you must remember two things:  For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  1 John 4:4 ESV…  and…. I can do all things through him who strengthens me  Philippians 4:13 ESV. Live on purpose for God,  You shall be holy, for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16                                     

Because of his Grace ~ Pastor David