TEXT: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Pet. 1:13-25
Song: My body is your sanctuary
MEMORY VERSE:
1 Peter 1:15-16 “But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye Holy for I am Holy.”
Introduction:
As we begin our journey on becoming a vessel to be used by God in these last days, we need to consider one of the expectations from God on every believer.
We live in a time when lawlessness, evil works and sin seem to be the order of the day. Even born again Christians are not exonerated. The church has become worldly and the world has become churchy. The unbelievers know all our slangs and phrases. Alleluia, praise the Lord, Amen, Bless you etc are very much in the lips of everyone.
Christians use worldly languages like “shame” and the like. Worldly music and beats fill the churches and gospel music sang by unbelievers. Infact, no one knows who is copying who. To demarcate who is a born again Christian is very difficult. Someone said, “Christianity is in the heart.” I quite agree. At the same time, we should note that the bible says “by their fruits, we shall know them”.
What fruits are you bearing? The God we serve is Holy. In fact the Godhead is Holy. God the Father is Holy hence those who belong to Him should be holy (Lev. 11:44, 1 Pet. 1:16). Jesus Christ the son is Holy (Luke. 1:35). He said in His first teaching that it is those who are pure in heart will see God. Holy Spirit is THE HOLY SPIRIT.
What is holiness?
1. Holiness means separation to God.
2. Holiness entails conduct that befits those who are separated.
3. Holiness starts from the heart and reflects outside
4. In holiness, we are doing two things;
a. Separating from sin, Satan and the world
b. Separating unto God.
NB: To separate means to set apart. It means to sanctify (John 17:17). It means to disconnect from. It means to cease to be associated with. It means to disengage from (Matt. 5:8, 5:48, 2Cor. 7:1, Heb. 12:14).
Some thoughts on holiness and Holy Spirit
1. Holiness and Holy living is possible (Matt. 19:26, Mark 9:23, Jer. 32:17, Job 42:2). Holiness is possible because of the Holy Spirit availability with us and in us. God cannot tell us to do what is difficult for us.
2. The Holy Spirit is holy (Luke 1:35). There are some other spirits that are not holy. In the bible, we have; the spirit of the world, spirit of Satan, spirit of lust, spirit of fear, spirit of anger e.t.c and they are not holy.
3. If you are born again, it is possible to live a holy life. Holy Spirit comes into our lives at new birth. At new birth, we are separated from the world to God. That is, a measure of sanctification takes place. The Holy Spirit on the inside of the believers in Christ is there to help to live a holy life.
4. We are to walk the holiness out from inside to outside by a personal determination and the help of Holy Spirit.
5. Your body is the temple of the living God if you are a child of God (1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19; 2Cor. 6:16). The Holy Spirit now dwells within us to help us to live a holy life.
6. We are bought with a price hence we are supposed to glorify God in our temples which are God’s (I Cor. 6:20).
7. One of the reasons why the Holy Spirit is given is to help us live a holy life and to promote holiness among us.
8. Holy Spirit guides us as to know and do what is holy.
9. The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray – Rom 8:26
Holiness is not about:
- Wearing certain clothes
- Wearing certain hairstyles
- Wearing certain looks or feelings
- Wearing certain make-ups or not making up.
- What is seen on outside. True holiness is not in hypocrisy.
It is an outworking of the grace of God in our hearts. It manifests in our lives as we live out what God has by His Spirit put within us.
What is holy living?
1. It is living unto God (Heb. 12:14). This is only possible when the Holy Spirit helps us.
2. It is separation to God for his use (2 Tim 2:21). God only uses things that are separated to him (Prov. 25:4, John 15:5).
3. Holy living is simply doing those things that are pleasing to God (John 8:29, 1 John 3:22).
4. Holy living is to be set apart for God’s use i.e. whatever he wants us to do, we should do (2 Cor. 6:17).
5. It is the final frontier that stands between us and the fullness of Gods glory (Eph. 5:27).
6. It is getting rid of those things that don’t build us up spiritually (Heb. 12:1).
7. Holy living is having a continuous reverential fear of God. As we have this fear, we obey Him the more (Eccl. 12:13). As we reverence Him, we spend more time with Him. As we have the fear of God, we won’t do things that annoy Him. This is simply holy living. As we fear Him we love to study his Word more and grow more in Him.
8. Under the law, holiness is unattainable. This is because holiness does not come by simply observing outward rules or law. The law was even broken before it was delivered. Holiness comes as a result of the work of grace God does in our hearts (2 Cor. 5:21; Eph.2:8; John. 1:14, 16). He who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
9. You are not made Holy. Holiness is the result of your choices. It is what you do with your time and actions. It is your conduct (Eph. 4:22-24).
10. Holiness comes when you make a decision to live according to the precepts of the Lord. Some of us know that we are the righteousness of God in Christ but still make a practice of sin, but see Heb 10:26-29. There has to be a decision to obey the Lord. He that does righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous (1 John 3:7).
11. The Holy Spirit will lead you to holy living as you commune and listen to him (Rom. 8:13-14). He will guide you in all areas of holiness. That is, holiness in thoughts, affections, conduct, dressing, speech etc
12. We are supposed to perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1). Perfecting holiness is simply the continual act of perfecting. That is, being separated unto God in the fear of God. See Psalm 138:8.
13. Holy living insures us against the attack of the enemy Prov. 16:7; John 14:30.
Conclusion
As we give more time to the Holy Spirit, we become more holy. This is further enhanced by spending more time in prayer and in reading and studying the world (Psa. 119:9, 11, 105; John 15:3). Praying keeps us from sinning and vice versa. Spending more time in worshipping and fellowshipping with God also enhances holy living (1 John 1:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Spending more time in fellowshipping with one another also helps to become holy (1 John 1:7 & Heb 10:25).
We should not just be seeking the Holy Spirit to do miracles and to heal. He is in us to help us do all things including holy living. Let us begin to ask Him to help us do that which is right in the sight of God at all times. You and I can live a holy life because it is possible. Believe and let us do it. It pays and of great importance. Remember, without holiness, no man can see the Lord. Let’s ask for mercy and grace of God to live holy more than ever before. Christ is coming very soon. Let us get ready.