Do you feel holy? I often don’t. I’ve felt “holier than thou” a couple times, but that doesn’t count. That’s just a figure of speech, right?
In the past, I’ve spoken about the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy.
Now, I want you to know that knowledge, by itself, isn’t enough.
[You can now listen to and watch “How can I be Holy?” on video. You’ll see on-screen outline points and scripture texts. We’re on Rumble.com and Brighteon.com (6 min, 49 sec). ]
I want you to think about what it means to be holy.
Regardless of whether you’ve taken some wrong turns in life or you just had a bad day, you can be holy.
Before we move farther, I want to ask you,
Who decides who’s holy?
I’m not judging you. I don’t decide who’s holy. No human being does.
However, you will, most likely, encounter people who are judging you. They think you don’t deserve another chance. They’ll do everything they can to keep you down.
Don’t listen to them.
God decides who’s holy, no one else.
Now, l will answer the question,
How can I be holy?
Several thousand years ago, Job, a wise man in the Old Testament, asked this question:
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Job 14:4
To Job, the prospect of transformation seemed unlikely. He knew that only a higher power can turn things around.
I think Job realized only God can make us holy.
To build a firm foundation for life, you need to understand this concept.
However, as already noted, knowing the difference between the holy and the profane, the common and the uncommon, and the clean and unclean, doesn’t make you holy.
In your own power, of your own accord, you will never be holy.
I’m wondering if you ever asked the question,
Why do I need to be holy?
Our sin nature defiles us. The sins we commit make us unclean.
If you want to connect with God, you must be holy. If you want to enjoy eternal life in Heaven, you must be holy.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews chapter 12, verse 14 to
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrew 12:14
You need to be holy if you want a positive outcome for this life and the next.
If you don’t care, you need to learn to fear God. Please either read or listen to my message about getting a fresh start.
Moving forward, I want to help you understand that…
You can be holy.
At first glance, holiness seems impossible.
Apostle Paul tells us, in the book of Romans,
There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:10-11
God demands holiness. He requires it. Unfortunately, it seems impossible.
But, fortunately, God gives us a way to be holy.
Here’s the key:
His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…
2 Peter 1:3
Here’s the catch: You have to want God and His holiness. You must
Accept God’s salvation
on His terms.
Thankfully, God loves you. He loves me. God sent Jesus to become the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 9:12
Jesus has paid the price for the sin of the world (1 John 2:2).
God wants to save everyone (1 Timothy 2:4), but only those who ask for salvation will receive it.
Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:21
If you don’t call on Him, He won’t save you.
If and when you receive God’s salvation, you have a new life. You no longer must fear God’s wrath (Romans 5:9). You no longer must bear the eternal consequences of your sin.
When you receive salvation, God has cleansed you. Here’s what God says:
What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Acts 10:15
You can be cleansed. You can be uncommon. You can be holy.
Let’s take a moment to talk about
Holy living.
After receiving salvation, you have a new nature. You no longer desire to sin. You naturally want to avoid uncleanness. Still, you must intentionally pursue holiness.
As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Peter 1:15
That word, “conversation,” refers to your behavior and manner of life.
Accepting salvation doesn’t mean that you will never again sin. Anyone who claims perfection is lying.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
After God makes you holy, He wants you to join the fight against sin.
The Bible tells us, in Ephesians chapter 5, verse 11, to
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Ephesians 5:11
As believers, we must pursue a
Continual cleansing.
If you have received the New Birth, your life changes. Your spirit comes alive. God’s Spirit guides you toward holiness. God’s power transforms you (2 Corinthians 5:17).
As a holy person, you shouldn’t want to continue living in sin. Instead, you desire to please God.
When you fail, Jesus will help you make things right.
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:1
Jesus is on your side. He stands on your behalf before God. If you ask, He will restore you to fellowship with the Father.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9