Holiness

Holiness befits Thy house, O LORD, forevermore. Psalm 93:5

Holiness is a character trait of all who follow Jesus; who make him Lord of their life. To be holy is to be separated from the world and worldly ways. Yet, it is more than this. It is being separated from my way to the Lord’s way. Separated specifically for His use; His purpose. Being His child, I should exemplify His character and attributes.

I do not dress as the world dresses, neither do I talk as the world talks because I have a higher calling, therefore I will have a greater accountability when I stand before God. Romans 14:10, 12

Motives, for what reason do I accomplish anything? Is it to boast in what I can do? No, motives must be pure. My life in all areas must bring glory to God. My prayer life must be a joy, not a drudgery of presenting an “I want” list to God. Prayer is not only speaking to God the things on my heart, it is listening to Him. How do I deal with my fellowman? If what I do is not done out of love than it has no value. “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he hasn’t seen. I John 4:20

As a child of God I have no will of my own. Jesus surrendered His will to the Father Matthew 26:39. My only desire is to see God’s purpose and will accomplished in my life. The resignation of the will was seen in Mary of Bethany sitting at the feet of Jesus. Luke 10:39 It was present in the apostle Paul who said, “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21. The key is to desire God’s will to be accomplished.

Another perspective on holiness is that it makes me desire to be where Christ is. I am exiled on this planet until He comes again
1 Thessalonians 4:16. My desire for Jesus allows the Holy Spirit to separate me to Christ. The greater my desire, the more I desire to be separated.

I am set apart, or sanctified, by the blood of Jesus. I cannot “work” at holiness. It is a divine process. Ephesians 5:27 I surrender my will, I yield to the Holy Spirit because I hunger and thirst for God. Christ warns those who follow Him, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Obedience must be done in love, not fear 1 John 4:18. If I obey only because of fear of punishment, and then I have not experienced the totality of God’s love. Christ, knowing He was sent to die for the sins of the world said, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God.” Psalm 40:8 He was obedient to the Father’s commandment John 10:18. Jesus did not fear to ask the Father if there were another way for the justice of God to be satisfied to let it be. But God the Father allowed His Son to die, that I may live Luke 22:42. Jesus obeyed out of love. His trust was in His Father to know what needed to be done to take away the sin of the world. So must I trust God to know what is best for me to accomplish His will.

This and much more is the holiness which befits God’s house. I delight to do the will of God that where He is I may be there too.

Author ~ Joyce Andrews Bickel
www.mycalvaryslove.com