Received on 16 September 2020

E. M.

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4,5)

At this moment, God is building us up as His body of believers. We may not be aware of it, but God is always building, always active. He is building into us a reliance on Him and His word. He is building diligence in following Him. He is building in us a desire for holiness.

When we start walking in holiness, we realize it is not the way of the world (John 15:19, 1 John 2:15), but holiness is what we are called to (1 Peter 1:14-16). For some of us, it has lost its weightiness. In some places, we’ve married ‘holiness’ with other things, like church or culture. Our definition of holiness has to be defined by the One who is truly holy: God Himself.

There is a need to be honest with ourselves and God, allowing Him to speak into our lives where we have defined holiness poorly. As we allow God to speak into things that we might hold close, He is ready to help us walk the path of holiness. Even our response needs to be in step with God. We cannot be distracted by what others are doing or how they are live. Other’s actions are not the standard God has given for us.

Holiness is not a feeling; it is not an emotion, presence or energy. Holiness takes choices, daily choices to follow Jesus and not the ways of the world. It is in our choosing (both big and small choices) that we walk the path of holiness. It will be costly in the beginning but as we consistently walk, we will see the fruit and the cost will make sense.

We can ignore the call of the Father, we can follow Him slowly/reluctantly or we can zealously pursue Him. We all have our choices to make, and pursuing God has its costs. But those costs are pleasing to the Father and will grow us closer to Him. The Father is calling us close! Let us respond to Him and let us not be distracted by the world. Let us purge any sin revealed in our lives and walk in holiness. If we don’t know what that means, let us study the Bible and find out.

Further reading: 1 Peter 1-2:12, Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21