Holiness is not optional for a believer who desires true intimacy with God. God issues a command through Peter that all Christians be holy. (1 Peter 1: 15-16; But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy)
Holiness is to characterize everything we do. From the way we speak (to family, friends and even enemies!), the way we behave and even our thought life must express holiness to God. (Philippians 4:8; Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.)
Today we will look at some of the wonders (or advantages) of seeking and living in holiness unto God
Wonders of holiness to God?
Defeat of our enemies. (Read Deu 23: 9, 12-14)
Deuteronomy 23: 9; “When you go to war against your enemies, be sure to stay away from anything that is impure”
Deuteronomy 23: 12-14; “You must have a designated area outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. Each of you must have a spade as part of your equipment. Whenever you relieve yourself, dig a hole with the spade and cover the excrement. The camp must be holy, for the Lord your God moves around in your camp to protect you and to defeat your enemies. He must not see any shameful thing among you, or he will turn away from you.” (NLT)
You will not be able to resist the devil and his schemes against you if you are still living in sin! Holiness to God enforces and maintains your victory in Christ. Holiness unto God will cause God to arise and destroy any spiritual power or mountains troubling you.
And if you are a Pastor, Apostle, or Prophet of God and even a Gospel Singer reading this, you cannot be living in sin and then engage the enemy in a spiritual battle anytime you administer the gift of healing or the prophetic, lead ware-fare prayers on behalf of people, lead spiritual songs and think you will not suffer a spiritual back-lash from the enemy! (Deu 23:9). Holiness is what enforces the victory & protection for you, when you stand in the gap in whatever grace God has given you on behalf of your members
Holiness fosters intimacy with God
Living a holy life also enables you to have a personal and intimate relationship with God which isn’t possible if you are still living in sin as sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2; But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear).
We can get an inclination of these wonderful relationship between God and Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden before they fell as they enjoyed a wonderful time in God’s presence. It would suggest from scripture, expanding on Gen 3:8; God would at times come at the cool of the day (some translation would say during that day’s cool evening breeze) to visit them and spend time with them. Interestingly the evening time is where most married couple spend time together and bond together.
When Adam & Eve where living in obedience to God (which is holiness), they were intimate with God but the moment sin came, that relationship with God was destroyed. Remember, you cannot have a personal intimate relationship with God if you are not living a holy life as God can’t dwell in the presence of sin as there is a great gap that sin creates between a person and God so that He won’t even hear us.
Holiness unto God will attract the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life
If you are living a holy life, you will also attract and continually keep the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life that dwells within your spirit as a believer. Furthermore, our bodies are His temple which is why we must not defile them with sin (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). When samson defiled his body through immorality and showed utter contempt for his sanctification, the Spirit of God (The LORD) left him (Judges 16:20)
Since the Holy Spirit is holy just as the Father and the Son is, it, therefore, follows like the other Two, the Holy Spirit can’t dwell in the presence of sin or in a person that hasn’t yet been transformed and renewed by Him from the inside (Titus 3:5-7).
Holiness Brings Blessings.
Another benefit that comes with living a holy life is that you will attract God’s blessing in your life as a believer. (Isaiah 1:19; If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land) NKJV
But if you are not willing and obedient to conform to His standards in words, thoughts and deed, you won’t attract God’s blessings upon your life but will bring curses instead (Deuteronomy 28:45-68)
Our holy life will bring glory to God & cause people around us to glorify God.
If you live a life of holiness, you will attract God’s glory in your life. Consider the story of Joseph who refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife in secret who willingly offered herself to him! Even at age 17, he understood that his life must bring glory to God. He said; How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God (Genesis 39:9b). In the end because he pleased God (brought glory to God) by choosing to live holy, God also glorified him in Genesis 41: 37-46, he became the youngest (at age 30yrs) and 2nd most powerful ruler after pharaoh in Ancient Egypt.
One of the primary purposes God created us was to give glory to Him which is only possible when you live a life that’s pleasing to Him which is to be Holy without sin.
Generally speaking unbelievers do not know or read God’s word. Therefore, our lives as believers must cause other people in our sphere of influence or association to glorify God by becoming a living epistle that they can read and see (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) for them to emulate and come to saving grace of our Lord Jesus.
God bless you
Prayer: Any power, spirit or force that is pushing me to sin and wickedness, I come against you by the word of the Lord and the blood of Jesus, be utterly disgraced now in Jesus Name.
Feast of Light Global Ministry
