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The command to live in holiness is given by God to everyone who has chosen to walk with Him.\u00a0 God declares in His Word; \u201cBe ye holy, for I am holy.\u201d\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
In the \u201chustle and bustle of life\u2019, 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\u2019s glory.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
However, it pays to remember always that holiness is central to our daily relationship with God.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The believer, therefore, must be resolved to pursue, keep and maintain a mindset of pleasing the Lord always.<\/p>\n
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In a very simple sense, holy living means a lifestyle that is committed primarily to pleasing God.\u00a0 Such a lifestyle involves separation from the world and its ways and is wholly committed, consecrated and dedicated to God.\u00a0 The individual who embraces holy living seeks only one end in life: that of pleasing God always.\u00a0 Such a one declares with himself: \u201cIf God lives in me and He is holy, then I must allow Him work out this attribute of holiness in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the path of holy living, there is only one perfect example to follow and that is the Lord Jesus.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 \u201c. . . 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\u201d, 2 Corinthians 3:18.<\/p>\n
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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.\u00a0 In Noah\u2019s 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\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 In Lot\u2019s 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.\u00a0 Also, in the era of Daniel, government officials were corrupt but he refused to join them, Daniel 6:4-5, 24.\u00a0 Although this brought him persecution, the LORD delivered him from the plans of the enemy.\u00a0 Believers in the New Testament stood their ground in maintaining holiness and this earned them the name \u201cChristians\u201d in Antioch of Pisidia, Acts 11:26.<\/p>\n
Thus, the issue of the society being complex today seems at best to be an excuse for continuing in sin.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Modern man in his so called complex society, may describe immorality as fun, cheating as \u201cmaking some runs\u201d, stealing as \u201cdoing business\u201d, etc., but in content and practice, these acts remain fornication, adultery, covetousness, greet, etc.<\/p>\n
It is still very possible to live for God in today\u2019s world.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The Lord remains our perfect example and He is the One we must resolve to follow and listen to, always.\u00a0 His grace will always be available to us as we resolve to obey Him in all circumstances of life.\u00a0 Let us embrace the words of the song writer afresh:<\/p>\n
\u201cI live for Jesus day after day,<\/p>\n
I live for Jesus, let come what may,<\/p>\n
The Holy Spirit, I will obey,<\/p>\n
I live for Jesus day after day.\u201d<\/p>\n
We must resolve to live for the Lord and obey the Holy Spirit at all times.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>\n
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Sin, generally defiles the believer\u2019s life.\u00a0 Some of the activities which constitute sin and defile a believer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Immorality in all its ramifications (premarital sex, extra marital sex, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, etc. \u2013 Romans 1:26-27) will defile the believer\u2019s life.\u00a0 Though, modern societies, like the old Sodom and Gomorrah, have become tolerant of these evils. \u00a0The believer must not only stay away from them but he must also condemn and speak against them.\u00a0 Modern idolatry includes \u201chero worshipping\u201d, 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.\u00a0 These things defile the believer.\u00a0 Some who profess faith in Christ still have desire\/flare for strong drink (alcohol) and smoking (cigarettes, tobacco sniffing, and marijuana).\u00a0 There are some believers too who may not be taking these things but either secretly or openly market and sell them.<\/p>\n
The list of the activities that can defile a believer\u2019s life is inexhaustible.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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Some factors that will help us maintain holiness as the Lord\u2019s representatives or ambassadors in this world include:<\/p>\n
The believer must have a regular and personal prayer life.\u00a0 He must develop a habit of praying.\u00a0 It is very instructive to \u201cpray without ceasing\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 The LORD teaches that men ought always to pray, and not to faint, Luke 18:1-8.<\/p>\n
An old Christian song says: \u201cRead your Bible, pray every day if you want to grow . . .\u201d Many believers are lazy when it comes to reading and studying Scriptures.\u00a0 Many do not attend aspects of church activities that are dedicated to studying His Word, like Sunday school, Bible Study, etc.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 We have not reason to fear about the future because His thoughts towards us are good, Jeremiah 29:11.\u00a0 We should learn to submit to this Sovereign God who makes all things work together for our good, Romans 8:28.<\/p>\n
The devil often times brings temptations, trials, suggestions, etc., to the believer.\u00a0 The believer must resist the devil in thoughts.\u00a0 Every believer should realize that he is in warfare with the enemy.\u00a0 Therefore, we must resist him and his works in our lives.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
It is important for us believers to always remember that our ultimate in life is to make heaven.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Telling others about the Lord Jesus will help us keep to the way of holiness.\u00a0 This is because if we are sincere, our lifestyle will impact those we have preached to.<\/p>\n
There is a level of strength and encouragement that come to us when we fellowship with fellow believers.\u00a0 There is no wisdom in avoiding the assembling of the brethren.\u00a0 Such an attitude will expose us to danger.<\/p>\n
In all issues of faith and life, the Lord Jesus remains our perfect example.\u00a0 We should not make human beings our standards or reference points.\u00a0 The Lord Jesus remains the only perfect example we should follow.<\/p>\n
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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.\u00a0 A believer, living in holiness, must have love for God and love for his fellow man, Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:27-28.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Believers should also learn to wait patiently on God for answers to prayers and actualization of our hopes and dreams in life.\u00a0 Some believers, who went ahead and made their choices in terms of marriage, because they felt \u201cGod was delaying\u201d in answering their prayers, have faced some unhappiness in their marital lives.\u00a0 It is a characteristic of a holy lifestyle to be patient.<\/p>\n
A holy life seeks to be at peace with all men, Hebrews 12:14.\u00a0 Gentleness, goodness, etc., are all attributes of holy living.\u00a0 These usually will manifest in kind words, actions and attitudes towards others.<\/p>\n
A holy lifestyle is also revealed in self-control.\u00a0 A believer ought to demonstrate self-control in eating and drinking habits, dressing habits, speaking habits, etc.\u00a0 A situation where a so called believer enjoys gluttony, smoking, drinking alcohol, dressing immodestly or indecently, contradicts Scripture.<\/p>\n
Another characteristic of a holy life is contentment.\u00a0 The believer is content each day while he or she trusts God for a better tomorrow.<\/p>\n
The benefits of living a holy life are numerous.\u00a0 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\u2019s blessings, Deuteronomy 28:1-14.\u00a0 Finally, there are eternal blessings and rewards awaiting the man who lived a holy life on earth.<\/p>\n
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We are called to holy living.\u00a0 A holy lifestyle includes loving God and loving one another, personal discipline, controlling our bodies, speaking truthfully, humility, self-control, etc.\u00a0 Every believer must accept holy living as a personal lifestyle for therein lies the secret of experiencing and seeing the Lord.<\/p>\n
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1 Peter 1:16 \u2013 \u201cbe ye holy; for I am holy\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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.\u00a0 God declares in His Word; \u201cBe ye holy, for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=545"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":560,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/545\/revisions\/560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}