But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourself. For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was (James 1:22-24).
The Word of God is our food for life. We are empowered and fulfilled by reading His Word. Colossians 2:10 reads, ” And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Every believer must strive to know who God is and how applying His word equips them to live spiritually, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and physically. The journey begins the moment one accepts Jesus as their personal Savior. Paul compares himself to a runner who does everything possible to press his way toward the finish line ( Phil 3:14). He was determined not to fall short of the mark of wholeness and holiness. His goal was to get to heaven and see Christ face to face ( II Tim. 4:8).
Living a holy life is the only way this is possible. Holiness is being separated from sin and set apart for God. This requires becoming like Jesus, seeking His presence and will, and communing with Him. Hebrews 12:14 reads, ” Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” Holiness is the original plan for mankind. Jesus came and died for the sins of mankind, allowing them to have eternal life.
Holiness remains a timeless, non-negotiable aspect of honoring God. ” Be holy, for I am holy ( I Peter 1:16).” God’s holiness is a reflection of His perfect character and moral purity( Isaiah 6:1-5). As God’s children, we are called to be holy. I John 3:2-3 reads, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Holiness is not just an external conformity to rules but an internal transformation through renewing our minds ( Romans 12:2). Therefore, holiness is a lifelong process of sanctification made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit ( II Thes 2:13-14). As we strive for holiness, we are assured of God’s presence and blessings ( Psalm 24:3-5). There will be no lack in our lives as we become more like Him.
Holiness is the most significant revelation any believer can attain, empowering them to live a righteous and pure life. Pursuing a holistic lifestyle is not an obligation for the believer but a natural reaction that arises as a response to God’s love. God does not take away one’s freedom of choice but allows mankind to express their right to live a holy life freely. It can be challenging for those who do not know God as their Savior and those who are not rooted and grounded in His love.
It is impossible to be holy when one does not receive and embrace the gift that Jesus promised to give us. Jesus is the only one who grants us this right to become like He is. Just like a spouse chooses to be faithful, we can also be holy like Jesus. During the marriage ceremony, each spouse recites vows to be loyal. However, the vows do not automatically make us faithful because one is married. Similarly, the believer must pursue holiness, as it is the only way to see God and live a holistic life. We cannot do this without God.
Holiness is not a result of our efforts or deeds but a surrender to Christ’s finished work on the cross. We embrace holiness as a gift through the acceptance of His righteousness. Pursuing holiness is not a convoluted process; it is straightforward yet demanding. We embark on this journey by delving into the depths of God’s Word, applying its truth in our lives to mirror His holy nature. As we engage with His Word, we are exposed to the very essence of God, which guides us toward a holistic life.
Holiness is, therefore, more than mere behavior; it is a state of being. Just as one decides to shower to attain cleanliness, believers must choose to embrace holiness. However, unlike cleanliness, holiness is a continual journey. Unlike cleanliness, it is achieved through one single act. It requires living in constant awareness of our holiness, which was bestowed upon us by Christ’s finished work. This ongoing awareness shapes our thoughts, actions, and character, leading us toward a life that reflects the holiness of our creator. Our God is holy and commanded us to embrace his holiness. I Peter 1:15-16 reads, “ But just as he who called you is holy, so be ye holy in all you do; for it is written: “ Be holy because I am holy.”
Co-Written By: Peter Njoroge & Evangelist Lottie Stearne
