Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
INTRODUCTION
God is looking for someone He can use, someone He can flow through to save and heal massess of people. The topic Holiness deserves a special study because, prayer is really only as powerful as the spiritual condition of the soul praying.
WHAT IS HOLINESS?
Charles Finney describes holiness as a perfect trust and consecration to God, a trust which could enable a Christian to live without "known sin". By this Finney did not mean total and absolute freedom from fleshly cravings and desires, nor a complete freedom from mistakes and human weaknesses. What he is saying is that, we can out of earnest desire to live right and to please God, can decide on daily basis to avoid every sinful thoughts, deeds, and acts.
One of the common expression by Christians today is "nobody is perfect" and I believe no one is, but the danger of that expression is, many use that excuse for their unholy conduct, and with that kind of mindset failed to grow in holiness. Growing in Christ's perfection means we ought to grow unto maturity in Christ.
To this ends, Apostle Paul said "I die daily" 1 Corinthians 15:31. Die to his fleshly desires and ungodly thoughts, so as to maintain a holy state within his soul. It is the daily setting apart of all we are, all we have, and all we expect to have or be, to God first of all. It is separation from things questionable, or even legitimate, when the choice is to be made between the things of this life and the will of God.
HOLINESS IS TOTAL CONSECRATION TO GOD
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Holiness in its truest and highest sense, is divine, the act of the Holy Spirit working in the heart, making it clean, and putting therein a higher degree, the fruits of the Spirit. This act of the Spirit is activated and intensified through prayer.
HOLINESS IS TO BE CLEAN AND READY FOR GOD'S USE
2 Timonthy 2:21 - But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. God in His sovereignty has chose to give man choice to accept or reject His gift of salvation. Likewise, after one received this gift he continues to either advance God's work or hinder it by this same power of choice, and he does this by how he lives.
HOLINESS IS GROWING IN CHRIST PERFECTION
1 Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, "Be ye holy: For I am holy."
Matthew 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
For there to be a perfect union between the holy God and man, there has to be holiness in the life of the man, for God is holy and will flow through a life that has been made holy, by the purifying effect of the atonement and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and this is accomplished by habitual praying.
HOLINESS IS ABSTAINING FROM EVERY KNOWN SIN
1 Thessalonians 5:22 - Abstain from all appearance of evil.
2 Timonthy 2:19 - Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Holiness is learning to call sin, sin. Nothing destroys more than sin. Sin destroys our fellowship with God and our relationship with others, it destroys peace of mind, hinders prayer, and brings darkness over the soul. We simply cannot talk strongly, intimately, an confidently to God unless we are living for Him faithfully and truly.
HOLINESS INS PURITY OF HEART
The pure in heart shall see God. Praying must come out of a clean heart. It takes prayer to bring one into such a consecrated life of holiness to the Lord, and it takes prayer to maintain such a life. Without much prayer, such a life of holiness will break down.
Prayer promotes holiness and is the one great help to purity of heart and life. Praying sets him who prays to the task of working out his salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12-13 - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
It causes you to watching your temper, conversation, and conduct. It leads him to walk circumspectly and redeem the time. Ephensians 5:15-16 - See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
It enables you to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called, with all lowliness and meekness. Ephesians 4:1-2 - I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
In conclusion, remember this saying "He who gives all to God will get all from God. Having given all to God, he can claim all that God has for him or her."
