The Blessed Call to Holiness
THURSDAY JANUARY 7, 2021
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
It was the first book I had read since my last semester in University exactly eight years before. It wasn’t that I didn’t purchase books, or had quite a few on my book shelf; I did, but I never read them. This book was different; it wasn’t that I suddenly decided to start reading again, I was led by the Holy Spirit to purchase the book. Later I realized that the direction was an answer to my prayer to God: I had said: ” Lord, please teach me how to pray effectively”.
The book was: The Power of the Praying Woman, by best-selling author, Stormie Omartian. I had gotten through twelve chapters, and was on the the thirteenth. The title of the chapter: Lord Preserve Me in Purity and Holiness. The word “purity”, I understood, but my question was what was “holiness”? Stormie purposed to explain what it means to be “holy”; she listed Seven Good Ways to Live in Holiness”. Number one was: “Holiness means separating yourself from the world”.
My thought was: ” Now I need to find another world to live in”- I’m just kidding; I didn’t get a chance to think because quickly the author explained:
“This doesn’t mean you head for the hills, isolate yourself, and never speak to another nonbeliever. It means your heart detaches from the world’s value system. You instead, value the things God values above all else”
(The Power of the Praying Woman – Pg. 119)
Today’s topic is: “The Blessed Call to Holiness“ all in staying focused of the theme for the week: The Call of God. In today’s devotional, the topic of Holiness is the focus. The guiding Scripture is 2 Corinthians 7:1, it begins:
“Therefore now since we have these promises, dear friends…
2 Corinthians 7:1
Of what promises does Paul speak? To find out, it would require reading backward to 2 Corinthian 6. At verse 18, it states:
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty
2 Corinthians 6:18
Dear friends, that is the promise of which the Apostle Paul spoke, and how awesome it is that you and I can be “a daughter of an Almighty God”. Paul knew the great value of sharing a close relationship with God, and he charged the Corinthians to: “separate themselves from all that contaminates. For us who live today, believe in Christ, and await His return, we too are encouraged to live according to God’s standards so we can partake of His promises.
I know you can agree that the day of the Lord is nearer than it was yesterday; that is an undeniable truth. As women of faith, we want to ensure that we are living on purpose, in accordance to our Divine Design. This is what Scriptures say of your design:
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
In the Bible, we meet many characters who we admire; those who managed to stay the course and was looked on favourably by God. Some of these characters are: Noah, Joseph, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Ruth, Daniel, Esther, David, Paul and so many more. We can’t deny that their lives reflected “good works”; they seemingly were able to discover and fulfill their purpose.
Of you and I, the story can be written that will one day read by other- the script can unfold and be recorded to say:
“she lived a life that honoured God.
How your faith story will end.
In reading the life story of the characters mentioned, there is one common thread: separateness or holiness. Each of them lived for God even while living in places that could be deemed ungodly. Daniel lived in Babylon, a place where idols were worshiped, and the Kings were arrogant; yet Daniel stayed true to His faith in the True and Living God.
We have a great hope that as Daniel, Esther, Ruth and all our other famous Bible heroes and heroines lived in holiness; so can you and I. We were created in Christ to do good works; and we have the Holy Spirit to aid us to do what we were born to do. The promise we have to be a daughter of the King is precious, and ought to be claimed and protected. Yet we are expected to be like our God- “holy” , that means to separate ourselves from all that will contaminate us.
For each of us whatever that “contaminant” is, only God knows, and He will lead us to identify them, and help us attain the state of holiness of which He asks. What is important is that we are aware of what God requires, and have a genuine desire to honour our Creator by being obedient. He will handle the details from there; God will work upon the desires of your heart and grant them to you. Ask and you shall receive (St. Matthew 7:7)
LET US PRAY
Dear Heavenly Father,
Promises are a guarantee of something; I believe that Your promises are sure. It is great that though You are a God, and so powerful, You are full of loving kindness.
Thank you for loving me so much that You want me to be Your daughter. I understand that You are a “holy” God, and desire for me to be “holy” too. Sometimes its hard, so I ask that You teach me to be holy so my life can honour You.
As You have called me to a Holy life, I want to achieve the goal to do good work You have prepared in advance for me to do. Please reveal the works I am to do, and help me to do them in an acceptable way.
I want my life to make you proud to be my Father, so help me to identify the things that will contaminate me so I can avoid them. Instead, I want to do that which is good. Your Word tells me to ask for what I desire- I desire to live in holiness, Please help me to do so successfully.
I pray in Jesus’s Name. Amen
