Do you have trouble with this Scripture: "You shall be holy, for I am holy." I think maybe the reason for this is that most people think that being holy is the same as being totally sinless. So then, who could possibly be holy? It's impossible!

 

Someone once said, "I know holy means 'set apart,' but I don't want to be set apart. That sounds like being in quarantine for having a constant case of measles!'" Or maybe we might say being in quarantine for a constant case of Covid-19. Some do think that being a holy person means living a monkish life, praying twenty-three hours a day in order to avoid sin. But that's just not true! Holiness doesn't bring isolation - it brings integration. With Christ in us, His character becomes a part of us so that His nature will be expressed through us. In other words, if we have Christ in us, Christlikeness will come out of us naturally.

 

When we are set apart by God, holiness becomes natural. With Christ in us, we will grow to be like Him. Just like it says in 1 John 3:9:

 

No one who is born of God will continue to sin,

because God's seed remains in him.

 

We all know that it is natural for the Lord NOT to sin. Therefore, with God's seed in us, it becomes increasingly natural for us not to sin. What seems impossible becomes possible. We will not become instantly sinless, but we will sin less and less and less.

 

God calls us holy. With His presence inside of us, He will produce the impossible in and through us. So, why should we settle for anything less?

 

Let us pray: Gracious God, we want to be holy but we need Your help. Fill us so completely with Your Spirit that we will grow every day to become more and more like You. Amen.

 

                                                                                           Pastor Ruth