Be Holy

It is crazy to me how we can come so far from truth in so little time. There are so many false doctrines circulating, so many false truths, and so many self-centered religions that slowly try to creep into Christianity. I believe it starts out small like “trust in your heart” “do what is best for you” and “if it feels good it must be right”. You have all heard these before. Well, sometimes if you hear something often enough you start to believe it. One of my brothers-in-law uses this trick on his wife when he wants a specific baby name that she did not agree with. He just mentions the name a few times a day for nine months. Funny thing is, it worked! After nine months of hearing something it is much easier to believe and actually like. That is why Christians we have to constantly be on guard against the worldly philosophies. They will creep up slowly in your mind and take over, if we are not purposely living Holy lives. 

Some people might cringe at the word Holy. Some people might think it impossible to live a Holy life. But that is because I think some people do not understand what Holy living is. I think I will start at the beginning. I am going to use my Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary to help paint a clearer picture. 

“God alone is ‘majestic in holiness’ (Exod.15:11; 1 Sam. 2:2; Rev.15:4). The uniqueness of His holiness is stressed in the repetition of the seraphic cry: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ (Isa. 6:3; Rev 4:8)…Those things that God separates to Himself become holy, too…God’s chosen people, in separation from the world, are called to an ethical life in conformity to His revealed word. The command to His people is to “Be  holy; for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44-45).”

God is Holy and when He calls us into His family we too are Holy and are called to live Holy lives by God’s grace. 

Romans 6:19 “¹⁹ I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.”

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Ephesians 1:4 ^“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love”

Colossians 1:22 “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”

1 Thes 4:7“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

1 Cor 7:1 “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

The thing about modern “Christians” is they pick a little of this and a little of that out of the Bible and try to fit it into their lifestyle. When in reality our lifestyle should reflect the Holiness of Christ. Many “Christians” today use their “freedom in Christ” to participate in actions that are not Holy, which is a contradiction to God’s word. One cannot quote scripture to get away with worldly behaviors and justify it before God. That is not being separate from the world and united with Christ. We have to guard against slipping away from truth. When faced with temptations, with thoughts, with actions, with words, with opinions, ask yourself; is it holy?