09/22/2020
CALLED TO HOLINESS.
There is no question that the Holiness of God (as are all His attributes) is far more higher than what we can fully understand even when we will have all eternity to study it.
Yet Christ our interpreter has translated this heavenly mystery into earthly bite-size format for all those who have His Spirit in them to understand.
Jesus Himself has become our holiness and our standard of holiness. He displayed in flesh and blood what God's holiness is like. He showed us what it will feel like to live with our holy father in the same house.
By His lifestyle Christ demonstrated to us exactly what mankind should have been were it not for the fall and the depravity that ensured.
He showed us how far redemption can bring us if we totally and daily commit to the faith and obedience of His call.
Then He gave us a glimpse of the holiness of the eternal bride who will eventually be like her great Bridegroom who loved her and gave Himself for her, to make her holy and spotless.
God is Holy and He calls us to be Holy. For us this call is ambiguous. Then Jesus came paid, enabled and showed that holiness and 100% victory over sin is possible in this world for all that will trust Him as Lord and savior.
To make me understand this the Lord opened my eyes to the word HOLINESS. With this acronym He showed me the wide gap between man's definition of holiness and God's standard of holiness in Christ. I see Christ's Character in each of the characters in the word HOLINESS. It is my prayer for myself and for you that we walk in holiness and wholeness, which is in Christ.
H stands for Humility
Father may I always walk humbly before you, my God. Let the same mindset and humility that was in Christ be in me. Grant me a heart that trembles at your word. Let a contrite and a broken spirit be found in me that I may dwell in the high and holy place of your presence, oh my God. May I never be proud of my piety. For it was pride that started iniquity. May I always remember that knowing you is a privilege you accorded me in your mercy. Lord I am not better than those who do not know you or those who have fallen from grace, but I owe them the debt of prayer and love.
O stands for Obedience
Make me realize that obedience is better than all my religious sacrifices. Help me understand that if I really love you I must obey you. Lord may I hear you clearly and obey you fully in everything, every day.
L stands for Love
Truly Loving God and man made in His image is the highest form of Holiness. Oh Lord you desire mercy and not sacrifice. This is where true and false religion part ways. The authentic love of God in a life is the distinctive, inimitable trademark of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is the protected copyright of heaven, superbly manifested in Christ and all that are truly His. The Holiness of God shines best through His Love and His love shines best in His Holiness.
I stands for Integrity
Holy Spirit help me to always do what is right even when no one is looking, no matter what others are doing. Give me the grace to speak and stand for the truth no matter what the cost may be.
N stands for Nearness to God.
May I daily and diligently be a seeker of God. May I always abide in the vine. It is in being close to you that I become more like you. Teach me true worship and intimacy with you. May I take my time in your word and on my knees seriously. May I never rush my time with you oh Lord. Those always in a hurry from your presence can never truly walk in holiness. May I walk with you like Enoch did.
E stands for Excellence
Philippians 4:8 (NET) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
May the spirit of excellence and diligence attend all my words, thoughts and actions.
S stands for Sanctification
Lord Jesus please cleanse me from all sin. Set me apart for yourself, for your glory and your kingdom. Give me the power to abstain from all appearances of evil and questionable behavior. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. Grant me Zero tolerance for sin. May I never take pleasure in what gives you displeasure. Let me put to death everything that put you to death. Lord let me not abuse and insult you by thinking that your forgiveness is a license for me to continue in sin.
S submission
Lord I submit myself to you and to all you have set over me even when it is not convenient. My life is not my own, my decision and confession is that your authority is final in my life.
I submit to your word and I trust your character.
Let your will be done in me. Let your kingdom come in my life and through my life, in Jesus name. Amen.
ChristisKing100%
