Holiness means to be set apart. Set apart means two things. The separation from sin and separation unto God for His holy use. When combined, these two concepts make holiness very complete. In fact, holiness covers all of life. The call to holiness is an absolute call. God never calls us to just give Him a piece of our hearts. He wants all of our hearts. Holiness is a lifestyle, committed to be set apart for God. It’s a love relationship with God, worked out by grace in faith.
God is Holy -1Peter 1:15-16
“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
- Instead of imitating the ungodly world, our lives should reproduce His holy character. To be godly means to be God like. God is holy in all His ways. A child of God can live a holy life only by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
- Illustration: Think of the sun at its brightest on a cloudless day. Its light is pure and intense, revealing everything in darkness. God’s holiness is like that sun, completely pure, exposing sin, and illuminating the way for us to live right.
- Application: God calls us to reflect His holiness. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, our lives begin to reflect God’s purity and separation from sin. Reading the word and doing bible studies is a great way to grow in the Lord. It is our spiritual nutrition.
Beginning of Holiness- John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.”
- Holiness begins when we receive Jesus as Lord. Lord meaning to rule and reign. He is now in control of our lives. God gives us His Holy Spirit when we repent of our sins and ask Him to live inside us. We must have His Holy Spirit to be able to live for Him and be holy.
- Illustration: Imagine you are lost in the dark woods. You stumble over roots, can’t see clearly, and you feel afraid. Suddenly, someone you trust comes along, takes you by the hand, and says, “Follow me. I will lead you safely out.” Receiving Christ is like that. We are lost in the darkness of sin, but when we take His hand and trust Him, He becomes our guide. He leads us out of the darkness, sets us in the path of life, and gives us a new identity.
- Application: To receive Jesus as Lord, you must recognize you are a sinner. Believe God sent His Son Jesus on the cross to die for your sins. That He rose on the third day. Ask forgiveness of sins and turn away from them. Now ask Jesus to fill you with His Holy Spirit. If you mean that from your heart you are now a child of God and have His Spirit inside you!
The Holy Spirit- John 1:12
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
- The Holy Spirit is the person of Jesus Christ living inside us, guiding us into holiness. He is our Teacher and Reminder, helping us understand God’s Word and prompting us to obey it. He reminds us of God’s commands, convicts us of sin, brings comfort when we need it, helps us to live for Him. This is how we are set apart for God, through His Spirit’s continual work inside us.
- Illustration: Imagine having a wise mentor walking beside you at all times, whispering instructions, correcting your mistakes, and reminding you the right thing to do. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. The Holy Spirit is that guide in your life.
The Holy Spirit-John 14:26
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. “
*The Holy Spirit is the person of Jesus Christ living inside us, guiding us into holiness. He is our Teacher and Reminder, helping us understand God’s Word and prompting us to obey it. He reminds us of God’s commands, convicts us of sin, brings comfort when we need it, helps us to live for Him. This is how we are set apart for God, through His Spirit’s continual work inside us.
- Illustration: Imagine having a wise mentor walking beside you at all times, whispering instructions, correcting your mistakes, and reminding you the right thing to do. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. The Holy Spirit is that guide in your life.
- Application: Acknowledge God in every area of your life by talking to Him all day long.
Holy Transformation-Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
- We should not look like the world. When we receive Christ, we become a new creation. The Holy Spirit renews our minds, shaping our thoughts, desires, and values to reflect God’s will. As we are transformed on the inside, the proof is evident on the outside, as others can see what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God is through our life.
- Holiness involves both identity and process. Identity: You are a new creation, fully accepted in Christ, and your past does not define you. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Process: Daily, the Holy Spirit renews your mind through the washing of the word. Pruning what is unfruitful and teaching you to think and live according to His ways. (John 15:1-8)
- Illustration: Think of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. The transformation happens inside, every cell is changed before the wings even emerge. Similarly, God changes us internally first, renewing our minds and hearts, so our outward life naturally bears the fruit of holiness.
- Application: Make a habit of reading the bible daily. Memorize scripture by writing it out and placing it where you can see it. Pray to God using a journal and talk to Him all day. Worship Him with praise and thanksgiving. Tell Him all the things you are thankful for.
God Perfects Holiness-Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. “
- Holiness is ultimately God’s work, not ours. He begins it when we accept Christ and perfects it throughout our lives until He takes us home. Our role is faith, obedience, and surrender.
- Illustration: Think of a potter shaping clay. The pot is never complete until the potter finishes it. God is the master potter and He perfects the work of holiness in us.
- Application: Spend time with God in His word, bible studies, church fellowship, worship, and prayer. Be sure to have accountability with someone who is a mature Christian and seek godly counsel.
In Summary:
- God is Holy
- Receiving Jesus is beginning of holiness
- Holy Spirit lives inside of us
- Holy Spirit transforms
- God perfects holiness
Quote:
Holiness is not achieved by what we do, but by what we allow God to do in us. ~Oswald Chambers
God is Holy -1 Peter 1:15-16
Reflection: How does knowing God is holy still invite you close and change how you see Him?
Activation: How can you honor God’s holiness this week in your thoughts, words or actions?
Beginning of Holiness-John 1:12
Reflection: How does your identity as a daughter of God influence the way you see yourself?
Activation: What would change in your life if you lived fully from your identity as God’s child?
The Holy Spirit- John 14:26
Reflection: Can you think of a time when the Holy Spirit corrected, guided, or comforted you?
Activation: Is there something the Spirit has been remind you of that you need to respond to?
Holy Transformation-Romans 12:2
Reflection: What thought patterns or beliefs do you notice that don’t align with God’s truth?
Activation: What is one thought that you can replace with God’s truth this week?
God’s Perfect Holiness-Philippians 1:6
Reflection: Do you trust God’s timing in your process of becoming holy?
Activation: How can you remind yourself this week that God is working, even when progress feels slow?
Declare: “I am a child of God. His Spirit lives in me. He is making me holy.”
“Heavenly Father,
I repent! I’ve received Jesus for my salvation but haven’t crowned Him Lord of my Life.
Today I give you my ignorance, self-sufficiency and habits.
Lord, you see beyond my insecurities, desire for comfort, approval and success.
You alone, know what’s best.
Forgive me for ignoring the Holy Spirit’s conviction, working to transform me into the image of Christ.
I’ve halted my own growth!
Let the weight of this hit my spirit so I never go back.
Holy Spirit, I give you full permission to carve a new path.
When I’m slacking in my prayer time, worship, fellowship and service to others, alert me.
The truth is: I can’t try any harder.
My best efforts have left me fruitless, powerless and hopeless.
Praise God I can stand on your promise: YOU will never fail me!
I surrender myself to your wisdom which passes all human understanding.
If it’s good enough for God, it’s good enough for me.
In Jesus’ name, I declare in YOU, I am truly free!”
Julia Shalom Jordan
