As children of God, we are called to walk in holiness.
However, holiness is frequently viewed as a huge unattainable feat. It is perceived as an attribute that describes God and Jesus, but not us. After all, “we are only humans.” But regardless of how we may feel, the believers in the New Testament were often referred to as holy, which means that holiness should be a central part of our lives today.
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters who share in the heavenly calling… Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…. Colossians 3:12
What is holiness?
Holiness is simply ‘separation unto God.’ It involves walking with God and allowing Him total access to all areas of our lives. It is daily yielding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit so that our attitudes, behaviors, and responses line up with the living Word of God.
Holiness involves purity in our thoughts, words, and deeds. This includes having a pure heart and meditating on the Word of God instead of allowing dark negative thoughts to overcome us. Speaking God’s words of faith into all situations instead of allowing our tongues to stir our lives in the wrong direction; acting like Jesus would when confronted with different circumstances.
Holiness is putting God first and obeying Him even when we do not feel like it. Casting off the flesh with all its deceitful desires and imitating God.
We are commanded to live holy lives
God has commanded us to be holy.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
As we obey God’s command, our fellowship with Him is strengthened, resulting in a deeper walk with Him as He manifests Himself to us more and more. But we need to rely on Him daily because our holiness comes from Him and not from our own strength.
Holiness comes from God
You cannot “holy” yourself. Holiness comes from God.
First and foremost, you are made positionally holy at the new birth by God because He has made you the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Then, as a result of your position in Christ, you are enabled to walk in holiness through the grace of God by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives and dwells in you.
SELAH: Stop and Ponder!
Then, I’m going to say the same thing again in a slightly different way for emphasis.
Holiness is imputed to us by God because of Jesus Christ. Then, we are to respond by walking in holiness through the help of God.
Therefore, as believers, we are both declared holy by God (positionally) and also called to live a lifestyle of holiness, which reflects our relationship with God. Holiness not only refers to what we do but also to who we are.
Reflect on the Scriptures below:
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Colossians 1:22
He saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4
If He saved us, called us, and chose us to be holy before the beginning of time/creation of the world, then it means that our holiness originates from Him, not us (because we weren’t here at the beginning of time). As the Scriptures point out, He did it because of His own purpose and grace not based on our works or anything we may have done.
Conclusion
God has made you holy and given you the ability to walk in holiness. However, it will not manifest in your life until you make a concrete decision to obey Him and walk with Him in light of what He has already done for you.
I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened so that you will fully accept God’s gift of righteousness. And as you do, I pray that you will live a holy life, set apart to God through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!
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Except where indicated, Scriptures are taken from the NIV.
I say a loud Amen! It is awesome that we have been made the righteousness of God because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It is awesome we have been given a new nature after God that enables us to WANT to live right and even more awesome is that we are EMPOWERED by Him to live right. The harvest of peace, joy and unbroken fellowship with God when we live our lives according to His word makes daily life worth living and enjoyable! Keep it coming Chizoba. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Narissa,
Your comment is power-packed and filled with the truth of God’s word.
He HAS made us holy and He empowers us to walk in holiness.
What an awesome God we serve!!
I have been blessed, I now know that I have the ability to live a Holy life
Amen! Chizobam,
Praise God! By the Blood of Jesus Christ, He has redeemed us and made us holy and imputed His Righteousness upon us. He has restored crown and glory back to us that Adam has lost. We have been crucified with Christ and We no longer live, but Christ lives in us. Amen!
Amen and Amen Esther.
Christ who lives in us gives life to us and enables us to walk in his holiness.
Holiness is the need of this hour.
This blog literally just helped to pull me from a dark place.
Hello Oge,
The Word of God is alive.
Jesus Himself said; “The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).
I am grateful that God has used this blog to light your path. I encourage you to stay in the Word. Study, meditate, and speak God’s Words to yourself and your circumstances daily.
You are blessed.
Chizobam
Thank you.
I say a louder AMEN!!!
I am just starting to learn to walk in holiness with GOD. I pray he gives me the Grace, strength and power to be steadfast in Him. And the spirit to not be weary. Amen!!!
Please, put me in your prayer as I am finally ready to walk with Him and do His biddings.
God is good. I pray along with you for His grace, strength, and power to be steadfast in Him.
And I pray that God will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better (Ephesians 1:17) and live wholeheartedly for Him. Amen!
Wao! I’m really blessed with this write up I pray may Almighty God in his infinite mercy grant us that holy spirit to be able to be conscious of what we are doing and be able to practicalize all what we have learnt.
Amen, Abraham!
This is excellent. Especially your point about holiness being entirely from God. He’s the source of it all. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, Darrell. He is surely the source of our holiness. We are nothing without God.
Passionately seeking God’s word with deep desire for holiness in thought word and deed, this led me to your website and the Bible study, Walking in Holiness. Praise God for His Goodness and promises for those who seek Him with the whole heart. I’m excited to be led to your site, and how it will help me to more greatly desire to be holy before God. It will lead e to glorify Him more, I am sure. God bless your organization and focus on Jesus, who created our purpose before the world began!
Amen and Amen to your prayers.
I thank God that He has used this website to encourage you and uplift your faith.
I pray that you will fulfill God’s call and purpose on your life. His grace surrounds you.
Chizobam
Thank you for your message on Holiness. I’m called to be holy empowered by the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord. Holiness isn’t just limited to Father God and the Lord Jesus.
As I read your prayer you didn’t end saying In Jesus name. Is there a reason for that?
Portia,
It blesses me to know that you read the article and applied the Word of God in it to your life.
No, there is no reason why I did not end the prayer saying “in Jesus’ name.” It was an error of omission. If you find anything else that I need to edit, please, feel free to let me know.
God’s grace surrounds you.
Chizobam
Hallelujah!
Thank you for this revelations. Surely, holiness is by God’s grace. And one cannot make himself holy by keeping sinners “out of bound” as my pastor loves to put it. In fact, our holiness [God’s holiness that is imputed on us] should attract sinners and call them out of the kingdom of darkness.
So, as a Christian, be careful what you do with [your] holiness. Selah!
Really blessed by this blog. Thankyou Jesus and also thanks to the writer.
This is really inspiring. More of God wisdom.
This clearly explained everything detail by detail, now I truly understand thank you so much for sharing God bless you.
And God bless you too!!