Are You Walking In Holiness?
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this self same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:10,11)
Today, I'm meditating on the second feature found in those who walk in Godly Sorrow. Believers are a people who are always in mourning (Matthew 5:4), especially now, in a world that's going berserk.
Who is Holy?
The worldly and religious use the word "holiness" as a designation. They are blinded to believe that only a select 2-3 in the entire world can be called "your holiness" or even "saints".
All those who walk/ed in obedience to God's Word are living/saints (1 Corinthians 6:2). The New Testament church believers are Kings and Priests (Revelation 1:6).
Every born again believer is created in true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). This holiness cannot be attained by man by his own efforts. It comes from God (Acts 3:12); it is found in those who love God and walk in His word.
The Word says, "Be Holy", not TRY to be holy. That's the difference between a faith based lifestyle and religious walk. The religious keep trying and never find true joy or peace. Eventually they get so frustrated they give up and declare there is no God.
What does it mean to BE holy?
I'll share only three ways to stay holy;
Peaceful Believer
All those who walk in Godly sorrow walk in peace. Peace and Holiness go hand in hand (Hebrews 12:14). Without holiness, no man can see God. A peaceful person exercises kindness and tenderness in all their ways. Keeping in mind that Christ died for all, and that every soul is precious.
Pure hearted Believer
All those who truly enjoy the presence of God become holy when they sit to pray or worship God. When Isaiah the prophet beheld the holiness of God Isaiah 6:5), he was undone, the true beauty of God's presence was revealed to Him. Though a prophet, he found himself unholy and unclean before God. He confessed, and repented of his state and desired to be holy as God was Holy. God then cleansed his lips. We need to mind our lips, what we think or have in our heart overflow through our mouth and actions - let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in God's sight.
Perfect Believer
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
The New Testament believers keep themselves holy by labouring for the kingdom of God. By keeping their flesh subject to their spirit by walking in the leading of the Holy Spirit. They value their time with God.
What affects our flesh and spirit? The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. (Check out a snapshot post on what they mean)
Serious believers will never be found entertaining themselves in the things of this world, be it music, movies, friendships, sports, politics, etc. Those who love the presence of God and have experienced the majesty of His presence will always steer clear from everything of this world that pollutes. This is a hard saying for many new Christians or weak christians. The more we keep ourselves in the presence of God daily, the easier it will be to overcome. God will radically transform our thinking and feelings.