God’s Call To Holiness.

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For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. I^st Thessalonians 4:7

When you visit certain modern day restaurant, some serve appetizer before the main course and if you are not conversant with their mode of service you might think that is the main meal which is not. This is same with some Christians, they forget or tend to neglect the real thing they need to see God, and instead they
put focus on mundane things. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Mathew 6:25. This was what the gentiles were looking for which is not suppose, so also today Christians.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Mathew 6:33. This includes power, privilege, prosperity but the major thing first is the KINGDOM OF GOD. Companies that run promo will tell you buy one get two free or buy one get five free. Mathew 6:33 tells us buy one and take all, not actually with the physical money though. Why do we relegate the things that matters most to the background? That which you are or which you pursue to possess, are they worth it? Beloved, I  wish above all things that
thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth 3^rd John 1:2. Mark that word, your soul. “even as your soul prospereth” Your soul is very important. In Genesis 3, man lost everything and was heading to hell but God in His infinite goodness and mercy sent His son Jesus Christ to die for us because He (God) did not want any of us lose our soul FOREVER. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:  but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverb 28:13.  It is not enough to say I’m a sinner, acknowledging sin is good but not good enough, it says forsake, it is when you confess and forsake all those filthy things (sins) that is when you receive mercy.

Holiness is based on God’s nature, character and attitude. It is not based in dogma, scientific findings, doctrines, evolutions etc. Is holiness possible? Some will say just as it is not possible for a fish to be in water and not drink water so also a man cannot be on earth and be holy. Are you on same page with them? You want God to come down to your level? Sorry to disappoint you, that is not possible. Titus 2:11-12 tells us that For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. There is nothing that God cannot do which include making us to live a holy life ALWAYS. If you are no there now that’s okay, you will get there. Do not say it is not possible. It is possible and the call to holiness is universal. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1^st Peter 1:14-16

• ·         The Character of God

What do you understand by the word character? There are times when you are familiar with certain words but don’t really know exactly what it means. Character could be said to be the set of qualities that makes a person or something distinctive, this includes the person’s quality of mind and feeling.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole heart is full of His glory. Isaiah 6:3

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:17 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: Habakkuk 1:13

Any little thing you exhibit anger and you say you are holy? No, you are not! Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry:  for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9. ... Consider thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1^b Stealing by tricks, immoral thoughts, immoral pictures, immoral chat in your phone etc, Sometimes we do not even go for it but it shows up staring us in the face either in the internet or on the street, wherever, what do you do? My dear, Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption Ephesians 4:30 So? You have to Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverb 4:23.

Ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. Leviticus 11:45b this is the nature of God and he expects us to be one. Dearest, whatever you cannot get with holiness drop it like its’ hot!!! The call to be holy may appear to be beyond human abilities. Yes? But it is possible. What we need is the holiness that is made in heaven and not in the church.

• ·         Call and Command of God.

Speak unto all the congregation of Israel, and say unto them, ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God is holy. Leviticus 19:2 Holiness is not for a particular set of people, it is not meant for the pope, bishop, priest pastors etc alone. No, it is meant for all. Everyone! The above verse says tell the congregation of Israel meaning everybody, not just the elders, young and old alike. You have to be holy and you have to teach your children about holiness, encourage your friends too. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. Leviticus 20:7-8. Verse 7 says you are to sanctify yourself which means there is a part you must play. It is separation from sin, you are to come out! After salvation, with the process of time you will probably begin to see certain things in your life which is not supposed, this is because during salvation the upper part of the plant (sin) was removed but not the root. You want to serve God with all your heart but little-little things keep dragging you back. You are not yet sanctified because the root is still there.

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff necked. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords,a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: Deuteronomy 10:16-17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2^nd Corinthians 6:17-18. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Leviticus 20:26 This is still talking on separation, you have to take your stand and decide you want out not just wanting out but opting out if you want to be recognise in heaven as God’s child.

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine hearth, and the hearth of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thoumayest live Deuteronomy 30: 6. This passage tells us God’s part, you cannot do this one on your own. A patient that wants to undergo surgery to get rid of a tumour will be willingly enough to take himself to the hospital but he will not perform the surgery himself. So also it is with sanctification. God was telling the children of Israel and by extension to us.

·         The characteristics of the godly

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man but God, who hath also given unto us His holy spirit. 1^st Thessalonians 4:7-8.

 Holiness is peaceful, holiness is harmless, holiness is loving, holiness is kind, holiness is obedient, holiness does not struggle with sin, holiness is humility, holiness is lowly in heart, holiness is honest, holiness is observant, holiness is watchful, holiness is careful, holiness is not proud. Everything Godly is associated with holiness. When you are happy you must be holy, when you are sad you must be holy, when you are broke you must be holy, when you are rich you must be holy, when you are poor you must holy, when you are understood you must be holy, when your misunderstood you must be holy. In all things you must be holy. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God. Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace even with your stubborn lecturer, neighbour, spouse, children and so on.

• ·         Steps of been holy.

v  1.  Make sure you are genuinely saved. Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GodJohn 3:30.  Therefore if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new 2^nd Corinthians 5:17.

v  .  2.  Strongly desire for sanctification, strongly desire to be in tune with God, strongly desire to live on earth as if you are in heaven, thirst for it, and desire for it with all your heart. Consecrate your mind, body and all soul to the Most High. Consecration in a lay man language is when you take Jesus and place him above all other things in your heart. Consecration could also be said to be dethroning everything that is higher than Jesus in your life. You no longer go to church activities or function because you are writing exams, you want to consecrate on your books? My dear, do not say God will understand, the truth is you have place your education higher than your saviour in your heart without you even knowing it. Till everything thing is dethroned you cannot be sanctified.

3.   Zealousness in your heart. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2. Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that i desire beside thee Psalm 73:25. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21.

Finally, you must surely die, if Jesus tarries. Yes, you will! Where will you spend your eternity? If you are wise, you will make sure you focus on what matters most which is life after death, how to spend eternity with your creator. You pay your tithe? Yes? It is good but not good enough. You attend church regularly? You help the poor? Yes it is good but without holiness you will miss heaven.

For thou art an holy people unto the lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2

Holiness is one of the many characteristics of God and as His sons and daughters; we have to be holy in ALL THINGS.