1
Peter 1:15F
Peter
writes in his letter that “He who called (us) is holy, (we) also be holy in all
our conduct, since it is written, and “You shall be holy, for I am holy."
Holy, that is physically pure and morally blameless and consecrated to God, and
that, is in all manner, in all aspects of our lives.
With
today’s modernity, every thing going hi-tech; all the environmental
events—climate change and all, and with every type of people, it seems that
practicing to be blessed or sublime seems easier said than done or challenging
for a Christian but then again this is God’s demand for His would-be followers.
The
word “holy” is described in the dictionary as “Properly, whole, entire or
perfect, in a moral sense.” Somebody who is holy has a pure heart, temper or
character; free from sin and sinful affections. We call a man holy, when his
heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is
regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with
good, pious, godly.
As
to God, His holiness signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral
character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less
sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions.
HOLINESS
IS NOT AN OPTION BUT A REQUIREMENT. People say it is difficult to achieve. Is it
difficult for one to be virtuous and faithful, consecrated or set apart to a
sacred use? Or to be of service or worship of God? Will a Christian find
struggle arranging one’s self to pious principles or purposes; as holy zeal.
Maybe you can answer that. Sometimes man can have the wrong notion of being
holy. We picture him as the robed person who sits in a corner and continually
think thoughts of God.
Holiness,
my beloved Christian friend, is a lifelong task for you and me. It includes
being temperate in all behavior, sober-minded in opinion, as well as in
practice, and humility in judgment. Holiness should be the desire and duty of
every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all
people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are
inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and
by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. God makes those holy whom
he saves. To be holy, to add, is to be self-controlled, stripped for action,
fixing one’s hope on the gift of grace and living a new life.
HOLINESS
IS THE REQUIREMENT IN FOLLOWING GOD. This is challenge for everyone. It begins when one is
forgiven and a new life is found in Christ and in obeying God’s commands. Obedient
children will seek to please and to be like their father. Our Father is holy,
and the duty rests upon us of seeking holy lives.
Let
us be that the model or example in accordance with which we are to frame our
lives. Our character should be like God, to be holy in all manner of
conversation and conduct. Since God is holy, and we profess to be his
followers, we ought also to be holy. God’s command found in Leviticus 11:44 was
addressed at first to the Israelites, but it is with equal politeness addressed
to Christians. The foundation of the command is, that they professed to be his
people, and that as his people they ought to be like their God.
To
be holy is also avoiding evil. Living righteously, getting rid of our old
selves and deceitful desires with our hearts and minds completely made new. We
must reveal that true life that is upright and holy and devout as Paul wrote in
Ephesians 4:22-24, Eph 4:22: “to put off your old self, which belongs to your
former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be
renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after
the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” That is also changing
our attitude for the better and striving for righteousness, godliness, faith
and love, endurance and gentleness, fleeing from jealousy, disputes, insults,
evil suspicions and harmful pursuit of money. Still difficult my beloved
Christian friend? Only you can answer that..AMEN
