“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”-Romans 6:22
Let us be forever drawn to this experience and idea of holiness; for it has all the radiant beauty of the sunrise. The value of the world’s choicest jewels, and the majesty of the unknown cosmos. It is eternal, boundless, and yet familiar. It is God himself, evidenced by the Holy Spirit, a commandment of scripture, communion with Christ, and gift of God. The very nature of the trinity and culture of heaven. That mortal man can be cleansed, made holy, and kept holy; is a tremendous miracle.
Holiness is an experience with God, through Christ, by the Holy Spirit. It is as intimate as marriage. It is that supernatural seed, planted in the heart of the individual that produces the fruit of righteousness. Obtained in a moment, but the pursuit of a lifetime. As a newborn baby, perfect in the eyes of the Father, yet required to grow in love. It is a daily walk, and a daily denial of oneself. It is for whosoever will. Race, creed, status, or station does not matter to God, because he is no respecter of persons. All that is required is belief and simple faith. A willingness to give your all to Christ, to take up the same resolve as he did when he said: “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Holiness is freedom from sin, sins committed and the attitude of sin within; that unholy disposition to covet, lie, cheat, steal, lust, etc. The desire to follow the devil towards abominable things. We are born sinful, but we can be made holy.
Holiness is persecuted. Ridiculed. Put down. Trivialized. Holiness is debated and resisted. Withstood by sinful men, society Christians (so called), and above all: the devil himself. Its simplicity is a mockery of the wisdom of this world. Its separateness is deemed unnecessary and legalistic. It is the bane of every worldly-minded man because it cannot be monetized, systemized, standardized, or controlled; for how can something so grand be free? It stupefies the peers of this present evil world, that holiness can be obtained by simple faith, and that faith can access the transformative power of the gospel, and that such a transformation can be instantaneous and produce holiness.
Holiness is more of Christ, less of me. Holiness is wholly loving God. Can it be that thou my Savior died for me? Died to sanctify and make me holy? Can it be that His blood can cleanse every stain of sin and make me pure? Make you pure? Is His power enough to save, change, and keep anyone holy? It is. It is enough and more than enough; for holiness is God’s design for all mankind. Holiness is for you, and it is for me.
