At a time in our world where holiness is discounted as unattainable by even Christians, there are some great truths about holiness that will encourage us in our worship to God. These truths are needed to grasp, at least somewhat, how Holy God is and how much He wants us to “get it.” Get what? Holiness!
The word Holy has been a word that has caused a great amount of controversy in Christian circles. Not so much because of what it is, but what it sounds like. The definition has two parts; one is dedicated to God for a specific purpose or set aside; the other is something that is sacred. When we look at the definition of holiness, we see that it is the state of being Holy. Here is an easy truth. God is Holy. He is the definition of holiness every way you look at it. Psalms 93:5 says, “Your testimonies are fully confirmed; Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore.” God’s holiness is always there. It’s who He is! You can check it throughout the Bible and see that when God is in a situation there is holiness. Also, God’s power is reflected from His holiness. Pure, without blemish. You can’t say that about anyone or anything else. He is Holy.
Which brings us to where we are. We are to be holy as He is holy. 1 Peter 1:15,16 says, “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.” Here’s where the Good News comes in. We received the good news of the lifechanging gospel of Jesus Christ and received Him by faith. When we gave our life to Him, He replaced it with a new one…..did you get that…..a new one. You are the same walking, talking person, but now your thinking, your reasoning, your perception about life is different. It is more in line with God (who is Holy). We take on His nature through the Holy Spirit and everything in our foundation changes and that changes our life drastically. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and explained it like this in 2 Cor. 5:17,18 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” The word reconciliation means that we are made right with someone (God) and now we are compatible with God. The end result is we share who He is by how much we line up with Him and His Holiness. That is an awesome realization that will “rock your world” if you dwell on it long enough.
Worship is the lifestyle that is birthed when we receive Christ and take on that Holy change that comes from Him. It changes our lives, our words, our destinations, our work, our service……..it changes everything. When we serve, we do it like Jesus. When we sing, we do it like Jesus. When we work, we do it like Jesus. When we mess up, we get it right because of Jesus. We are constantly being changed to look and act more like Jesus every day. That’s good news!!! Why be holy? Because He is Holy and that part of Him is ready to be seen in each of us as we live our life of Worship.
The Pilgrimage continues...
David Warren
