Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Holiness sounds like such a high and lofty word and certainly unattainable for peons like me. But God – my two favorite words used together in Scripture – greatly desires our holiness for our own good as well as for His glory. We are never more like Jesus than when we are pursuing holiness and righteousness. Remember, we easily fall into sin but holiness must be our lifelong pursuit. God’s great Fatherly love for us should be the believers highest motivation for our holiness. Isn’t it the crying need of our day for Christians to demonstrate holiness in an ever increasing measure? We are to stand out like a city on a hill not merely blend with the world. It behooves us to earnestly seek this spiritual light. We have no idea all we forgo by refusing to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. This isn’t perfection, it is following after our Master in lieu of sin, self and Satan.
This brings us to another point. To walk in wisdom we must know it. I am not talking about merely reading a devotional book or looking at a verse or two. It is the whole Bible that makes a Christian – not simply a few verses of our liking and choosing. Our holiness comes about by walking in the wisdom of the Word He has given us – the least glimpse of His Truth exalts the soul as well as convicts, encourages and equips. Just as food is necessary for the body to function properly so too the soul of man needs the nourishment of the Word of God to function rightly. It weans us from the world and elevates us, raising our inclinations towards heavenly things. The Word is God’s greatest resource used to change these stony hearts of ours to fleshly ones and it convinces us to the reality of His glorious rewards for those who love Him and obey His precepts. If we love Him, we will obey Him knowing He always has our very best interest at heart. Be holy, He says, for I am holy.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 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 1:13-16 (NIV)