Are Christians called to live a life of holiness?
Are Christians called to live a life of holiness?
Everyone knows that to be holy is to be morally blameless, to set apart from the evil practices of this world, to live a life that is without fault, a life pleasing to God. However, nobody can achieve this because we all have a sinful nature in us, just as apostle Paul wrote that it is sin who did what he did not want to do (Romans 7:17-19). If you are discouraged and feeling guilty, let me show you the following truths and good news:
1. Do you know that even before God made the world, His intention was that we be holy :
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Ephesians 1:4
However, God knows that we cannot do it on our own. So He made us holy when we accept Jesus Christ.
2. Do you know you are already holy because of what Christ has done for you. This is what the scripture says:
Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
Colossians 1:22
You are already made holy because of all that Jesus has done for you.
3. You have God in you because Christ has restored you with much more than what Adam and Eve had lost.
Although mankind had fallen, know that Christ has restored us with much more. We have God with us all the time:
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.
John 14: 23 (NLT)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
John 14:16 (NLT)
If you recognise your position because of all that Jesus’ sacrifice has restored you, you will celebrate this position that you are in.
What is your power and inheritance?
Let’s read what Jesus said is the power and inheritance that a believer (Christians) have been restored with:
Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
John 14:14 (NLT)
But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
John 15:7 (NLT)
I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
John 15:15-16 (NLT)
At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
John 16:23-24 (NLT)
As you read the above words from Jesus, can you see the power and authority that has been given to you who believes in Jesus (John 16:27)?
What you need to do?
Your job as a believer is not to try to be holy. You are already holy because of what Christ did for you. So your job now is to take your position, and remain in Christ’s love and our joy will overflow:
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:9-11 (NLT)
As you remain in Christ’s love, the Holy Spirit of God that lives in you will give you understanding and wisdom and will give you the desires to walk rightly with Him. You will live victoriously and everything you do will prosper. Not only will you experience healing, you will have the power to pray and heal others in the name of Jesus.
If you are not yet a believer, you can pray this prayer to receive Jesus into your life:
“Dear LORD Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and that you love me so much that you left your throne in Heaven to come into this world to suffer on my behalf. You chose to die for my sins so that I can be set free from a life of poverty, pain, defeat and bondages of sins. I pray that You come into my life and be my LORD and Saviour. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can lead a victorious life. I believe that from this moment on, I am a new creation. Help me to walk with you each day so that I am able to enjoy the rich and satisfying life that God had planned for me when He formed me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
If you have said the above prayer, you are born again by the Holy Spirit. Write down this date so that you will never forget this new birthday. You are now a child of God, you are a new creation. You have the Kingdom of heaven to inherit. You have a new life, you are called a Christian. Look for a church near you, start reading the bible everyday and walk with Jesus. You can turn to Jesus with all your cares and worries. He is with you always and He will guide you. You will be amazed as you walk this new journey.