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Why Is Holiness so Important?

I have learnt that you only put effort into something that you truly value. You only make time for the things you value. So, when you say you didn’t have time to do something you are really saying it wasn’t important enough for me to make the time to do it. Ouch!! The truth does hurt. Because there are so many things pressing to get our attention a valuable strategy I use is to Put First Things First. I list all of the things I need to complete and then prioritize them. That way I always ensure the most important things get done. The issue though is, am I prioritizing the right things? What are the right things?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness……….” (Matt. 6:33a)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.” (Prov. 3:5-7)

We really don’t know what are the right things. We think we do. And that’s where we run into trouble. When we were born again we told Jesus that we were now willing to surrender our lives to Him. But in many aspects of our lives we still continue to make our own decisions without even acknowledging or asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. We cannot afford to trust in our own wisdom cause many times this leads us down the wrong path. And our journey becomes longer and more complex and more problematic than it needs to me (Prov. 14:12, 16:25). If we would only follow God’s instructions it would make our lives that much simpler.

The first reason why holiness is important is because God instructs us to be holy (Lev. 20:7; 1 Pet. 1:16). It isn’t a suggestion or a tip for healthy living. It is a command. If we say we love God then we will obey His commandments (John 14:15). If God instructs us to be holy then it is attainable, He has given us the source of strength to attain it.

 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

“as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” (2 Pet. 1:3)

But in case God’s instruction alone is not sufficiently motivating, let’s look at some of the benefits to be derived by being holy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.“ (Matt. 5:6)

“If My people who are called by My name will …………..turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chron. 7:14)

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully,” (Ps. 24:3-4)

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16)

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Ps. 84:11)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:7-8)

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to miss out on any of these benefits. But even more important, I want to show God I love Him by obeying His commandment. After all, He knows the beginning from the end and I don’t. 🙂

What more needs to be said? Think on these things……… then act accordingly.

Shalom.