Call to Holy Living
Central thought: God commands His followers to live holy lives.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7; 1 Peter 1:13-16,22
The command to live in holiness is given by God to everyone who has chosen to walk with Him. God declares in His Word; “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Therefore, the issue of living a holy life is not optional to the believer neither is it negotiable but rather it is a normal way of life expected of anyone who has put his faith in the Lord.
In the “hustle and bustle of life’, especially in modern times, many temptations are put on our path to lure us away from our noble desire of living in holiness to our God’s glory. Attempts are made by the enemy to make us compromise our cherished biblical standards as regards the issues of life at home, school, offices, markets, business place, etc.
However, it pays to remember always that holiness is central to our daily relationship with God. Holiness is one of the attributes of God and this holy God has always demanded holiness in the lives of all who desire to follow Him. The believer, therefore, must be resolved to pursue, keep and maintain a mindset of pleasing the Lord always.
1. What do you understand by holy living? Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 23:14
In a very simple sense, holy living means a lifestyle that is committed primarily to pleasing God. Such a lifestyle involves separation from the world and its ways and is wholly committed, consecrated and dedicated to God. The individual who embraces holy living seeks only one end in life: that of pleasing God always. Such a one declares with himself: “If God lives in me and He is holy, then I must allow Him work out this attribute of holiness in my life.”
On the path of holy living, there is only one perfect example to follow and that is the Lord Jesus. In all matters of doctrine/faith/belief, He remains ours standard. The more we look to Him and embrace His ways, the more we look like Him. “. . . we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the LORD are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the LORD”, 2 Corinthians 3:18.
2. Is it possible to live a holy life in today’s world?
Every era, period or civilization in world history, has always had its temptations, but each period also has its record of those who chose to be different by living for God. In Noah’s days for example, people practiced wickedness and did what was evil continually in the eyes of the Lord, Genesis 6:11-12, but Noah chose to be different and found grace (favor) in GOD’s eyes. In Lot’s days also, immorality had reached its peak with the general acceptance of homosexuality (the gay life) as a way of life, but Lot chose to be different as his righteous soul was vexed daily with the deeds of the people, 2 Peter 2:7-8. Also, in the era of Daniel, government officials were corrupt but he refused to join them, Daniel 6:4-5, 24. Although this brought him persecution, the LORD delivered him from the plans of the enemy. Believers in the New Testament stood their ground in maintaining holiness and this earned them the name “Christians” in Antioch of Pisidia, Acts 11:26.
Thus, the issue of the society being complex today seems at best to be an excuse for continuing in sin. It is clear that in the history of mankind, sin has always remained sin. There may be attempts by man today to call it different names but in content and practice, sin has not changed. Modern man in his so called complex society, may describe immorality as fun, cheating as “making some runs”, stealing as “doing business”, etc., but in content and practice, these acts remain fornication, adultery, covetousness, greet, etc.
It is still very possible to live for God in today’s world. What the believer must bear in mind, like the saints of old, is that his standard and goal in life are different from those of the society. Our decisions, actions and reactions in situations should be guided by the Word of God and not by the ideas of people no matter how well placed such persons may be in religious or political circles. The Lord remains our perfect example and He is the One we must resolve to follow and listen to, always. His grace will always be available to us as we resolve to obey Him in all circumstances of life. Let us embrace the words of the song writer afresh:
“I live for Jesus day after day,
I live for Jesus, let come what may,
The Holy Spirit, I will obey,
I live for Jesus day after day.”
We must resolve to live for the Lord and obey the Holy Spirit at all times. Amen.
3. What are some of those things or activities that defile the believer? 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Sin, generally defiles the believer’s life. Some of the activities which constitute sin and defile a believer’s life include all works of the flesh which are summarized in Galatians 5:19-21 as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, sedition, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, etc.
Immorality in all its ramifications (premarital sex, extra marital sex, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, etc. – Romans 1:26-27) will defile the believer’s life. Though, modern societies, like the old Sodom and Gomorrah, have become tolerant of these evils. The believer must not only stay away from them but he must also condemn and speak against them. Modern idolatry includes “hero worshipping”, worship of materialism and the substitution of physical idols for toterns/symbols of occultic societies hidden or tucked away behind doors, underneath pillows/beds and in plates kept neatly in prepared places in the home. These things defile the believer. Some who profess faith in Christ still have desire/flare for strong drink (alcohol) and smoking (cigarettes, tobacco sniffing, and marijuana). There are some believers too who may not be taking these things but either secretly or openly market and sell them.
The list of the activities that can defile a believer’s life is inexhaustible. However, the believer can avoid or stay away from such things by making up his mind to stay away from all appearance of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:22. There is also need for us to watch the company we keep because keeping company with evil inclined persons breeds evil behavior, 1 Corinthians 15:33.
4. Discuss certain factors that will help a believer live a holy life.
Some factors that will help us maintain holiness as the Lord’s representatives or ambassadors in this world include:
a. Regular Prayer Life:
The believer must have a regular and personal prayer life. He must develop a habit of praying. It is very instructive to “pray without ceasing”. The LORD teaches that men ought always to pray, and not to faint, Luke 18:1-8.
b. Studying the Word of God:
An old Christian song says: “Read your Bible, pray every day if you want to grow . . .” Many believers are lazy when it comes to reading and studying Scriptures. Many do not attend aspects of church activities that are dedicated to studying His Word, like Sunday school, Bible Study, etc. The point must be emphasized that if we will maintain holiness, we must be grounded in His Word through personal committed study of the Word of God.
c. Submit to God, James 4:7
We must bear in mind that our God is sovereign and so He must be allowed to work out His plan and purposes in our lives as the Sovereign God. We have not reason to fear about the future because His thoughts towards us are good, Jeremiah 29:11. We should learn to submit to this Sovereign God who makes all things work together for our good, Romans 8:28.
d. Resist the devil, James 4:7:
The devil often times brings temptations, trials, suggestions, etc., to the believer. The believer must resist the devil in thoughts. Every believer should realize that he is in warfare with the enemy. Therefore, we must resist him and his works in our lives. We are grateful to God that we entered into this warfare with the enemy from the stand point of victory because our MASTER, the Lord Jesus, conquered Satan long ago, Colossians 2:15.
e. Maintain a heavenly focus:
It is important for us believers to always remember that our ultimate in life is to make heaven. Let us therefore, like the saints of old, live like the pilgrims on earth keeping alive in us the hope of being with the Lord in His kingdom, Hebrews 11:15-16.
f. Evangelism/Witnessing:
Telling others about the Lord Jesus will help us keep to the way of holiness. This is because if we are sincere, our lifestyle will impact those we have preached to.
g. Attending fellowship, church, Christian meetings, etc., Hebrews 10:25:
There is a level of strength and encouragement that come to us when we fellowship with fellow believers. There is no wisdom in avoiding the assembling of the brethren. Such an attitude will expose us to danger.
h. Let the Lord Jesus remain the perfect example:
In all issues of faith and life, the Lord Jesus remains our perfect example. We should not make human beings our standards or reference points. The Lord Jesus remains the only perfect example we should follow.
5. What are some of the characteristics and benefits of a holy life?
A holy life is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, which are summarized in Galatians 5:22-23 as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. A believer, living in holiness, must have love for God and love for his fellow man, Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:27-28. The love we have for God will motivate us to live for Him and serve Him faithfully. The love for our fellow man will make us wish and do him good.
Believers should also learn to wait patiently on God for answers to prayers and actualization of our hopes and dreams in life. Some believers, who went ahead and made their choices in terms of marriage, because they felt “God was delaying” in answering their prayers, have faced some unhappiness in their marital lives. It is a characteristic of a holy lifestyle to be patient.
A holy life seeks to be at peace with all men, Hebrews 12:14. Gentleness, goodness, etc., are all attributes of holy living. These usually will manifest in kind words, actions and attitudes towards others.
A holy lifestyle is also revealed in self-control. A believer ought to demonstrate self-control in eating and drinking habits, dressing habits, speaking habits, etc. A situation where a so called believer enjoys gluttony, smoking, drinking alcohol, dressing immodestly or indecently, contradicts Scripture.
Another characteristic of a holy life is contentment. The believer is content each day while he or she trusts God for a better tomorrow.
The benefits of living a holy life are numerous. The Lord Jesus gives us peace with God and living in holiness guarantees peace of mind and peace with our fellow men. Holy living attracts God’s blessings, Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Finally, there are eternal blessings and rewards awaiting the man who lived a holy life on earth.
Daily living application:
We are called to holy living. A holy lifestyle includes loving God and loving one another, personal discipline, controlling our bodies, speaking truthfully, humility, self-control, etc. Every believer must accept holy living as a personal lifestyle for therein lies the secret of experiencing and seeing the Lord.
Memory verse
1 Peter 1:16 – “be ye holy; for I am holy”