The Power of Holiness

 

The Power of Holiness                                              

A Bible teacher whom I greatly admire told of an incident in which she purchased pajamas for a gift. In order to best fit the recipient, she switched out the top from one pair to go with the bottom of another pair. She carried her purchase out of the store, pleased to know the PJ’s would fit perfectly. But by the time she got home, she was miserable with guilt. The Holy Spirit was nudging her spirit, helping her realize and admit that her action was wrong—dishonest even.

The next morning, she returned the pajamas and confessed to the store personnel what she had done. Can’t you imagine the humbling experience that must have been?

Her point in the telling of her blunder was that the Holy Spirit is holy. Holy. When we are born-again followers of Jesus, He resides in us and helps us stay on the straight and narrow path.

So, what is holy? What is holiness? 

Photo by Connie Wohlford

It can be defined as “the process, quality, and condition of a holy disposition and the quality of holiness in personal conduct. It is the principle that separates the believer from the world … It causes every component of our character to stand God’s inspection and meet His approval.” *

Many Bible scholars describe holiness as being “set apart.” We who follow Christ are to be separate from the world. We’re to be in the world but not of the world. (John 17:14-16)

The world’s system often emphasizes accumulation of wealth, power, fame, notoriety, constant entertainment, self-indulgence, and so on. What would you add to this list? These things can preoccupy our minds and our time, pulling us away from the things of God, which are of eternal significance.

While many accomplishments and pleasures can fit into a holy life, they are not to be the focus and fuel that drives us. God wants us to have plenty and to enjoy life. He also warns that life is not always easy, and we may be persecuted for our faith because we disapprove of and/or do not participate in many of the world’s ways.

Peter inspires us with this powerful exhortation: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV).** 

We have been called out. We are His own. Think about it—meditate on that. We’re a chosen generation—each one handpicked by our Creator. He calls us His own special people. Father God has looked down on us with compassion and mercy that is renewed every morning. (Lamentations 3:23)

We need not live in darkness for we are in His marvelous light.

The Holy Spirit is holy. Let’s never forget that. In Him is no darkness nor impurity. And He has chosen to take up residence in each of us so that we have the power to be holy and walk in holiness.

Paul wrote, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

“For God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8).

Yes, the call to holiness is a mighty tall order but with the help of the Holy Spirit in us, we can do this thing for God. We can be set apart—separate from the ways of the world.

I have told my grandchildren that taking a stand for Christ and what is right may be the bravest thing they ever do. It takes courage to be holy and like my admired Bible teacher, we’ll sometimes miss the mark. But when we step up and make it right, we’ve grown some and have allowed the light of Christ to brighten in us.

Let’s pray: Holy Father, thank You for calling me out to be Your own. Thank You for the indwelling of Your Spirit Who helps me walk in holiness according to Your own character. Lord, help me to be brave so I can fulfil the purpose You have set before me and help others along the way. In the holy name of Jesus, I pray—Amen.

 

Me—Holy?

Holiness—me! You’re kidding. Right?

You do know who I am.

 

You’ve called me out to walk upright

But God, I’m such a sham!

 

Enter in—Your Spirit, Lord.

Yes now—I do receive.

 

Your loving kindness—thank You, Lord.

In You, I do believe.

 

Now holy, I will walk with You.

Your Spirit lives in me.

 

The road of life we’ll travel on,

And holy I will be.

 

By Connie Wohlford

August 2020

 

*Spirit Filled Life Study Bible, Thomas Nelson, “Word Wealth” page 1829.

 **Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

 

“Say, ‘Yes,’ Granny. Say, ‘Yes!’”

“Say, ‘Yes,’ Granny. Say, ‘Yes!’”      

“Say, ‘Yes,’ Granny. Say, ‘Yes!’”

His image is seared into my mind forever—my four year old grandson looking up at me—with huge brown eyes and raised eye brows, yearning for a positive response. As any self-respecting granny would, I looked adoringly at his face wanting to say, “Yes,” but he had not yet stated his request.

So before giving an answer, I had to say, “What is it, William? What do you want, you precious darling?”

I believe God says to us, “Say ‘Yes,’ (insert your name). Say ‘Yes!’” And, hey, He may even add, “you precious darling.”  When God calls our names to follow Him initially and when He gives a specific directive, He wants our response to be, “Yes.”

And just like William, sometimes our Lord wants us to say, “Yes,” even before we know what He wants us to do.

We must be convinced that when we say, “Yes,” to the Lord, it’s for our good.

 

We must know, in the depths of our being, that when we say, “Yes,” to our Creator, we open up the door to our destiny.

When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him they each said, “Yes,” immediately, knowing little about to what they were agreeing. But in their hearts, they knew they could trust Him. 

 Matthew tells us,

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him” (Matthew 4:18-22 ESV).

We don’t know what is weighing in the balance by our answer. But God knows.

We don’t know what hardship or blessing will result from our answer. But God knows.

What if Peter, Andrew, James, and John had said, “No,” when Jesus said “Follow Me.” Each would have closed the door to his God-ordained destiny.

Are you aware that you have a God-ordained destiny? God knows each of our names and we’re each called to follow Jesus. He has a plan and purpose for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). 

When we say, “Yes,” and believe and receive Jesus, we’re taking the first step into our God-ordained destiny. That first step, though, is not the end-all. Yes, it determines our eternal home but it’s just the beginning of our walk with the Lord.

Over and again, we need to say, “Yes,” to the call of Christ. Each time we do, we’re stepping further into our destiny and deeper into our relationship with Jesus.

As we trust Him with more, He trusts us with more. I repeat: As we trust Him with more, He trusts us with more.  

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also with much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much” (Luke 16:10 NASB).

Is Jesus asking you to say, “Yes,” to something? Don’t say, “No,” closing the door to your destiny. By the way, “Maybe,” is a negative response as well.

Perhaps, like me, you’ve said, “No,” to His call in the past. That doesn’t mean it’s over. Our God is full of grace and is a second and third (and more) chance God. 

He doesn’t get mad at us but it saddens Him when we turn away from His calling

.

This time say, “Yes.” Boldly say, “Yes,” with joy and anticipation at what God’s going to do.  With a willing vessel, God is able to do exceedingly more than we can ask or think or imagine because of his Spirit working in and through us (Ephesians 3:20).

Is God saying, “Say, ‘Yes,’ (your name). Say, ‘Yes!’”?

 ©Connie Wohlford 2016