Yesterday we outlined our call to ‘be holy.” Today, let’s chat about what that means and how to teach that oft times lofty goal. In essence, it’s easy – follow Jesus’ example.
Just because the world says ungodly living is ok doesn’t mean God says it’s ok. Just because everyone around us is doing it, doesn’t mean we should. We are called to be more – to be the light of the world. The Father expects us to be holy because He is holy and abides in us.
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of one who walked in holiness. If we look at how He lived and exemplified holiness, we see a life committed to honoring God, showing love, honoring parents, serving others, and keeping the body holy. Let’s start.
First, Honor God. If we want to be holy, we must honor and reverence God. Without reverence of the Father, we won’t be able to live holy. Christian souls should have a reverential fear of God, submitting themselves to the Lord and desiring to please Him. If we want to walk holy, we must honor God by seeking His face in prayer and studying His Word.
A relationship with the Father is imperative to those who want to be holy. Since we are His children and members of His family, we should resemble Him. We should take after Him. If we aren’t a part of His family – if we aren’t His children, we can’t live holy.
Next, show love. God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is the foundation upon which everything else is built. 1 Corinthians 13:1 teaches that without love, the work we do isn’t profitable for us. Thus, love is essential to holy living. The love that flows from Christians should be pure, without hypocrisy, a healing balm that soothes the tired, angry, depleted soul. Holy men and women should have forgiving hearts full of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance (Colossians 3:12-13).
Those who are holy and walk uprightly before the Lord, need to be on guard against harboring unforgiveness, anger, and resentment in their hearts. We should be quick to forgive and spread the love of Christ everywhere we go. If we’re going to be holy like He is holy, that means, we have to show love and forgive even when the recipient doesn’t deserve our love or forgiveness. Sometimes, we’ll have to love others, even when we don’t feel like or want to love them – need an example? Look at the crucifix.
Honor your parents. Jesus Christ, the Word of God in flesh (John 1:14), honored His parents continuing “in subjection to them” (Luke 2:51). Jesus honored His Mother throughout scripture, from her Immaculate Conception, to the cross and through now. Honoring our parents means loving them and helping them as much as we can. It means witnessing to them about Jesus Christ and remembering that we wouldn’t be in the earth without our parents. Loving our parents and forgiving them, despite their shortcomings and flaws, is an excellent way to be holy because God is holy
Serve others. Matthew 5:16 tells us to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Being holy glorifies the father. Jesus Christ emulated the Father by serving others. And since Jesus served people, we must serve people as well.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.“ Matthew 5:16