The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:14 that we are to follow after holiness because without it we will not be able to see the Lord. Holiness is a requirement of the Christian’s life. God commands and requires it of us. Holiness has been a subject of controversy as to what it really is and who really has it. It has been set up as men’s opinions and interpretations of the Bible. The interpretation of it has been used to fuel religious wars and divisions. It has been labeled as a physical list of do’s and don’ts or religious ceremonies and rites. It has been made out as a way to dress or way to wear the hair. However, holiness is not a physical thing. It is not a religious tenet that men have drawn up for others to follow. It is a state of the spiritual being in which the soul of man is clear before God and there is nothing within the heart that is displeasing before him.
Practicing religious ceremonies or adhering to outward standards does not make us holy. To be holy, we must look to the one from which holiness comes. Holiness comes from obeying God with a clean and pure heart. I Thessalonians 4:7 states that God has called us unto holiness and that we are not to live in uncleanness. This holiness that he has called us to is a state of spiritual purity. If it were physical purity, then we would be displeasing God every time our shoes became muddy or we splashed something on our shirt or every time we fell down and soiled our hands. However, thank the Lord this is not the case. The way to spiritual purity is through the one who can clean us from all the uncleanness. That is God.
In I John 1:9, the Bible states that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, we see that it takes the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse us from unrighteousness or unholiness. This helps to answer the question of what holiness is.
It does not matter what tenet or religious tendency we profess or follow, if there are things in the heart that God is displeased with, then we are unholy. It does not matter how we look on the outside if our inside is ugly and black. It takes a holy heart and life to please God.
You may ask what it is that God is displeased with in your life. The best way to find the answer is not to ask man but ask God. Look in his Word and compare your life to it. The scriptures name some things out specifically in Proverbs 6:16-17; Galatians 5:19-21; I John 4:20; and many other scriptures.
If you find any of these offences in your heart, please be honest with God and with yourself and ask his forgiveness. Then you can be holy and live a holy life. Remember, it is the heart that matters. It must be holy and free from offences before God.
Please search the scriptures and compare your actions, thoughts, desires, and attitudes with them. Really seek to be what God would have you to be.
God Bless You
Pastor Ryan
2005
