Holiness

Holiness is keeping myself unspotted from the world. Holiness means separation: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty”, stresses the holiness of God (Isa 6:3). We should be imitators of God as his small children, (Eph 5:1). As the one who calls us is holy, so we should also be holy (1 Peter 1:15,16). We should be separate from those of the world because the Lord our God is holy (Levs 11:44; Rom 6:19-22; 2 Tim 1:9).

Holiness is an essential part of God, so it should be a fundamental concern of all those who try to be imitators of God. If we do this, we will be partakers of his holiness when we are granted His nature. God disciplines us so that we can share in His holiness like a father disciplines his children for a little while (Heb 12:9-10).

Through holiness we have a precious escape from the desires of worldly pleasures and lusts, because without holiness in this life, a believer cannot see the Lord. Indeed, we will not be able to actually see God and relate to Him on a personal level in the kingdom, if we have not demonstrated true holiness in our life time. Should we involve ourselves in worldly ambitions (1 Tim 6:10), they will take away from our time for service in Christ’s ecclesia, as it will if we spend our precious time in watching worldly activities instead of studying and living the word of God (2 Tim 2:15). We must be careful in our speech: God hates a froward mouth (Prov 8:13). We must control our temper when provoked because bad temper results in anger which the Lord hates (Prov 15:17).

Our minds must be kept clean to think holy thoughts. Therefore, we must keep ourselves away from strong desires which can affect judgment in life. If we are wronged in any way, we should take it in prayer to our Father in heaven, relying on His help and not getting angry. All this is living a holy life in Christ.

We must remember that God controls our life. When making decisions, we must always say “If the Lord will” (James 4:13,15). Therefore avoid things that stimulate evil thoughts and desires, like magazines and books which are evil. Bad films and filthy activities take away from a life of holiness in this world (Phi 4:8; Titus 2:12).

Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor 7;1)

Bro Mayende Erisania Sifuna (Busia, Uganda)