Dear brothers and sisters,

In order to LIVE A LIFE OF HOLINESS, we must align our thinking with God’s Word so that His power and favor can flow through us.  LIVING A LIFE OF HOLINESS should be a way of life for Christians.  

Even when we face trials and persecution, we must keep our focus on the Word of God.  2 Timothy 3:10-17 tells us this.  Renewing our minds with the Word of God is our foundation for HOLIESS.  HOLINESS is being of one mind with God.  

I want to encourage you that time spent in the Scriptures is time well spent.  Successful Christians spend a considerable amount of time studying the Word.  The more time we spend renewing our minds with the Word, the more we develop HOLINESS.  

According to Deuteronomy 30:15, 19, we can see that God has set before us two choices ~ life and death, blessing and cursing.  God has graciously given us the opportunity to choose Him, which means choosing life and blessing.  He exhorts us to do so, and then both we and our children will live.  Those who decide to reject God are headed for death and destruction.  

True HOLINESS involves choosing God and everything that is HOLY and acceptable in His sight.  In order to LIVE A LIFE OF HOLINESS, we should cautiously choose our friends.  We tend to imitate the people with whom we spend the most time with.  1 Corinthians 15:33 says that bad company corrupts good morals.  People who don’t have the same belief in God that you do can cause you to doubt Him.  In 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 we are told this:

  • Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God…

It only takes a little doubt to cause us to be defeated as Christians.  We shouldn’t respect the world’s standards more than we respect God’s standards.  Matthew 7:13-14 says,

  • Wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it.

It’s not wise to choose a path in life simply because everyone else is choosing it.  We must choose the best path for our lives, which is LIVING A LIFE OF HOLINESS.

Proverbs 14:12 says,

  • There is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the way of death.

At times, we are offered opportunities that seem right based on the opinions of others or the world, but we must acknowledge God in all we do.  Proverbs 13:13 (AMP) says,

  • Whoever despises the Word [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] shall be rewarded.  

When we honor God’s Word, He honors us (see 1 Samuel 2:30).   Let’s do what 2 Corinthians 7:1 instructs us to do,

  • Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit, perfecting HOLINESS in the fear of God.

HOLINESS doesn’t come to us without effort.  It’s something we must decide to do!  To LIVE HOLY, we must separate ourselves from thinking that opposes God’s Word (see Hebrews 12:1-4).

Striving to LIVE A LIFE OF HOLINESS,

Lisa Gordon

Assistant Pastor

Jesus City Church