Holiness still a keep?!
I was recently asked to speak to a group of young ladies on the theme “Holiness Still a Keep? I’m Just A Girl.” It was just as awesome an opportunity to share then as it is now to write this article. As I reflected on the theme, my mind was left with an impression that came with much emphasis. The requirement of holiness is not specific to a gender or age. Rather, it is a personal call for all (males, females, seniors, adults, youth, etcetera). Once we become children of God, holiness is expected of us.
Holiness is defined as “the state of being holy.” This definition, however, calls for further unpacking… What does it really mean to be holy? To be holy means dedicated or consecrated to God. The Oxford Dictionary defines dedicated as “exclusively allocated to or intended for a particular purpose,” and consecrated, according to the same source, means “having been made or declared sacred.” We can therefore conclude that holiness means “having been made sacred and exclusively intended for God’s purpose.” In a world where being sacred is rather unpopular, this is a bold declaration that ought to be trending among those who name themselves Christians.
WHY SHOULD WE BE HOLY?
Leviticus 11:44 says, “For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy,” and 20:26 says, “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy.”
You may say that this was an Old Testament command, but I will add that it is one that is also repeated/spoken of in the New Testament. Ephesians 1:4 states, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” Additionally, 1 Peter 1:16 instructs: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Holiness was important then and remains important now.
Consider that in the beginning God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27), demonstrating his desire for them (Adam and Eve) to be without sin (as He is), which made way for them to have complete, continuous intimacy with Him.
Adam, who was the first man created, sinned against God, however, which destroyed their exclusive intimacy. From that point onwards, Adam reproduced offspring who were naturally born in the same state of separation from God. Since it is God who makes us holy, He also determined how he would remedy Adam’s error throughout all the generations to come. The prescribed remedy is made available through the finished work of salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 3:25).
Now, for as many as believe in this work and receive the Spirit of God in them, they become children of God through faith; this is our spiritual birth (Galatians 3:26–28; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 1:12; Romans 8:9). First, we were born as mere men (just humans/carnal/separated from God), but the moment we become born again (experience the spiritual birth), we are no longer “just” anything. Our entire beings were made holy. We are spiritual (not natural earthen vessels) in which the Holy Spirit abides. Don’t think the scriptures are being poetic when they refer to us as “a new creation.”
As children of faith, holiness is a must! According to 2 Peter 3:10-11,14 “the day of the Lord will come like a thief… what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives…. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to have the Lord find you at peace and without spot or fault.”
ATTRIBUTES OF HOLINESS
So, if you are born again, you were made holy, and now you are required to live as such. This is a fair expectation since God has given His children His HOLY Spirit. One practical way, as outlined in scripture, is to put on (embrace) our new self. We are encouraged to follow God’s example in being kind, compassionate, forgiving, loving, good, honest, wise, etc. (Ephesians 4:17–5:15). We are also encouraged to have minds that are alert and fully sober, not conforming to evil desires (1 Peter 1:13-22).
It’s true that temptations and distractions have increased, but God’s Spirit in you is not daunted. His influence in your heart (grace) is surely greater. If you yield to Him, you will overcome them, for with Him, all things are possible!
Holiness is a transformation of mind, heart, and will. I therefore encourage you, even as a youth, to remember that “Holiness still a keep!”
Purpose Hamilton is a member of Passion and Purity, a school-based Christian ministry.