Brethren, hear it plain. God is holy, and He calls us to Himself. “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15–16). This is not for a few super-saints. This is for every blood-bought believer. We are set apart, cleansed, indwelt, and sent.
We refuse the shadows of sin and walk in the light of the Lord (1 John 1:5, 7; Ephesians 5:8). We belong to the King, and our banner reads HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD (Exodus 28:36; Zechariah 14:20–21).
Christ has opened the way by His blood (Hebrews 10:10; Matthew 27:51). The Spirit empowers the life we cannot live alone (Galatians 5:16, 22–23; Titus 3:5). This is our identity. This is our calling. This is our joy.
1) The Call That Confronts Us
Friends, God’s holiness is not a suggestion. Moses took off his shoes on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). Isaiah trembled when he heard, “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3, 5). Hannah sang, “There is none holy as the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:2). Habakkuk said His eyes are too pure to look on iniquity with approval (Habakkuk 1:13).
If the Lord is holy, then His people must be set apart, not just “good,” but devoted. He told Israel, “Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6). That same mantle now rests on the church: “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9).
Question: Will we treat God as common, or will we treat Him as holy?
2) What Holiness Means: Set Apart and Pure
In Scripture, holiness is belonging to God. In the beginning, God set apart the seventh day (Genesis 2:3). In the Law, He set apart people, garments, places, and times (Exodus 40:9–10). In the heart, He calls us to clean hands and a pure heart so we can stand in His holy place (Psalm 24:3–5).
In the New Covenant, He calls our bodies His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) and urges us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy unto God (Romans 12:1). Holiness is consecration that produces purity. We’re not just avoiding dirt. We’re devoted to the Lord.
Picture it: An operating theatre stays sterile because it’s set apart for life-saving work. Track mud across the floor and you ruin its purpose. Holiness keeps the room of your life ready for God’s presence and power.
3) Old Testament Foundations: Holy God, Holy People
God’s holiness demanded reverent approach. Ritual laws taught separation. Moral commands taught love, justice, and truth. Leviticus 19 ties worship to everyday integrity. Brethren, holiness is as practical as honesty, as concrete as purity, as visible as compassion.
Isaiah’s lips were cleansed by a coal from the altar so he could speak for God (Isaiah 6:7). The prophets rebuked empty ritual and called for circumcised hearts (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4). Holiness is inside and out.
4) Christ Our Holiness: The Veil Is Torn
Praise be to God. Jesus is “the Holy One of God” (Luke 4:34) and our holy, harmless, undefiled High Priest (Hebrews 7:26). He died, the veil tore, and the way opened (Matthew 27:51). “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).
All the sacrifices were arrows pointing to Him (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:14). He entered heaven itself to appear for us (Hebrews 9:24). Now He aims to present a glorious church, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27). Holiness begins at the cross and grows by the Spirit.
Question: If Christ paid for our cleansing, will we keep our garments white (Revelation 7:14; 19:8; James 1:27; Ephesians 4:24)?
5) The Spirit’s Work: Sanctified and Strong
We cannot do this in our own strength. Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The Spirit produces holy fruit in ordinary people (Galatians 5:22–23). This is God’s will, even your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7).
We cleanse ourselves, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1), yet never forget the power source: “He hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling” (2 Timothy 1:9). He makes us a temple together (1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19). He writes the law on our hearts as promised (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:27). Holiness is Spirit-empowered obedience.
Warning and comfort: Follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). But take courage. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24).
6) Holy Pictures That Preach
- Light and Darkness: God is light; walk in it (1 John 1:5, 7). Ye are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
- Refiner’s Fire: He refines us in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10). Who shall stand? He is like a refiner’s fire (Malachi 3:2–3). Tested faith comes forth as gold (1 Peter 1:7; Job 23:10).
- Clean Garments: He removes filthy raiment and clothes us anew (Zechariah 3:4). We put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24). Robes made white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14; 19:8).
- Water and Washing: Washed by the word (Ephesians 5:26). Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5). Ye are clean through the word (John 15:3).
- Temple and Vessel: Glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Be a vessel unto honour fit for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:20–21).
- Marriage and Fidelity: Christ sanctifies His Bride holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25–27). Keep your devotion chaste to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
- Bells on the horses: Everyday life stamped HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD (Zechariah 14:20–21). Nothing unclean enters the city to come (Revelation 21:27).
Question: Which picture is the Lord using to speak to you today?
7) Holiness In Real People
Joseph: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” He ran from temptation and God lifted him in due time (Genesis 39:9, 12; chs. 39–50).
Daniel: He purposed not to defile himself and kept praying when lions roared (Daniel 1:8; 6:10). An excellent spirit was in him (Daniel 5:12).
Mary: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). “Holy is His name” (Luke 1:49). She treasured God’s word (Luke 2:19).
Paul: From persecutor to preacher. He pressed toward the mark, kept his body under, labored by grace (Philippians 3:13–14; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 15:10). He lived holily and justly and unblameably among the saints (1 Thessalonians 2:10).
Jesus: Our spotless pattern. He served, prayed, resisted, loved, and never sinned (John 13:15; Mark 1:35; Matthew 4:1–11; John 8:46). By beholding Him we are changed (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Others cheering us on: Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). Noah was just and walked with God (Genesis 6:9). Samuel’s integrity shone (1 Samuel 12:3–5). Anna worshiped in fasting and prayer (Luke 2:36–38). We are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses; run with patience, looking unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–2).
8) Blessings Tied To Holy Living
Deeper Fellowship: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). Clean hands, pure heart, and the blessing of His presence (Psalm 24:3–5). The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him (Psalm 25:14).
Usefulness: Cleanse yourself and become a vessel unto honour, ready for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). Faithful in little, trusted with much (Luke 16:10).
Peace and Backbone: The work of righteousness shall be peace and assurance (Isaiah 32:17). The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). He shall not be moved (Psalm 112:6–8). Clean hands grow stronger and stronger (Job 17:9).
Prayer and Worship: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). Confidence in prayer when we keep His commandments (1 John 3:21–22). Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness (Psalm 29:2; 96:9). Reconcile, then worship free (Matthew 5:23–24).
Protection and Guidance: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly (Proverbs 2:7–8). No good thing will He withhold from the upright (Psalm 84:11). The meek He will guide (Psalm 25:9).
Eternal Reward: Rejoice under reproach; great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:11–12). An incorruptible crown for disciplined runners (1 Corinthians 9:25–27). A crown of righteousness for those who love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). White raiment and honor for overcomers (Revelation 3:5; 2:26). Blessed and holy in the first resurrection; the second death has no power (Revelation 20:6).
Legacy: The memory of the just is blessed (Proverbs 10:7).
Sobering Counterpoint: The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The Father disciplines His children for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness (Hebrews 12:5–11).
Whole-life Profit: Godliness is profitable unto all things, now and forever (1 Timothy 4:8).
9) Walking It Out Today
Holiness is a journey. The path of the just shines brighter and brighter (Proverbs 4:18). When you fail, confess and be cleansed (1 John 1:9). Think Psalm 51 and get back up.
Set apart, not isolated. Be in the world, not of it (John 17:15–18). Love people. Refuse their sins.
Mind, body, soul. Fill your mind with what is true, pure, lovely (Philippians 4:8). Flee fornication; honor God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:18–20). Build rhythms in the Word and prayer.
Holiness and love are friends. Love fulfills the law (Matthew 22:37–40; Romans 13:10). Loving God and neighbor looks like purity, honesty, mercy.
Community helps. Stir one another to love and good works; confess faults and pray for healing (Hebrews 10:24; James 5:16; Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15).
Grace trains us. The grace that saves also teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly (Titus 2:11–12). Come boldly for help (Hebrews 4:16).
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling (Jude 24). Christ is made unto us… sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30). He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth (John 17:17).
10) A Straight Appeal
Brethren, choose today. Will you live common, or consecrated? Will you hide in darkness, or walk in the light? Will you treat sin as a pet, or as a viper? Set your heart. Fix your feet. Lift your eyes. The Holy One calls. The blood is enough. The Spirit is ready. The Scriptures speak. The Bridegroom waits.
Pray with me:
Lord, we bow before Thy holiness. Cleanse us by the blood of Jesus. Wash us with the water of the word. Fill us with the Holy Ghost. Make us vessels unto honour, temples of Thy presence, lights in a dark world. Keep us, refine us, and present us faultless with exceeding joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Leviticus 19:2; Hebrews 10:10; Ephesians 5:26; Galatians 5:16; 2 Timothy 2:21; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Matthew 5:14; Jude 24)
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
