Revelation of the Word:

THEME: HOLINESS

1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

INSIGHT

–God commands us believers to live holy lives, mirroring God’s own holiness. God invites us to a lifestyle of separation from worldly desires and conformity to God’s righteous character. God reminds us that we should enter through the narrow gate for the wide gate leads to destruction, but the narrow gate leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14).

SUMMARY

Holy in Hebrew is written as kadosh and hagios in Greek which means set apart, pure, or sacred. Holiness involves separation from sin and dedication to God. Holiness in the Old Testament was necessary during worship, sacrifices and conduct. The tabernacle and temple were considered holy places, and priests had to maintain ceremonial holiness to serve God through the sacrifice of a lamb for sin offering (Leviticus 14:13). In the New Testament Jesus Christ died for our sins, justified us and sanctified us for holiness. Holiness is not achieved on the outward but it is attained by inner transformation of the heart. Holiness is a spiritual journey for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh but our weapons are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). God calls us to walk in love as His children, for Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering gad sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma for no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:1-5). God calls us His elect and a holy people. He calls us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, loving one another through the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:12-14). Further, God requires us to pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). God calls us present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service, that we may be renewed in our minds that we may prove what is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

PRAYER

Holy, holy, holy are You Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Holy, holy, holy, are You Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. May You consecrate us and cleanse us with Your precious blood for You are Holy and have called us to be holy. May You sanctify us body, soul and spirit, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May You make our temples clean by Your mercy and love, and grant us victory in all spheres of our lives. May You our God of peace, sanctify us through and through body, soul and spirit and keep us blameless at Your coming dear Lord Jesus Christ. May You grant Your true salvation to us and all people dear merciful Savior. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen

Blessed Weekend

Further reading: Leviticus 11:44, Isaiah 6:3

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