“As obedient children, DO NOT CONFORM to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance [before you were saved]. But just as he who called you is holy, SO BE HOLY IN ALL YOU DO; for it is written: “Be holy, because I AM HOLY.” (1 Pet. 1:14-16)
[The word “HOLY” comes from a Greek word: hagios (hag’-ee-os), which means sanctified, physically pure and morally blameless. Our Abba Father says we are to be holy because He is holy!]
“I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I AM HOLY…” (Lev. 11:44)
[So, how do we go about living this “holy life”?]
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For HE CHOSE US IN HIM before the creation of the world TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS in his sight.” (Eph. 1:3-4)
[Please bear with me as I share my experience, WHICH I WILL NEVER FORGET: I was a 29-year-old drug, alcohol addict, and sins that go with that lifestyle, I worked as a design engineer, cut back drinking, and turned to drugs because I thought drugs would open my mind to be a better designer. A young Christian man worked for me, Tim, whom I was not very kind to because after working on a design all night, he would build it and come to me explaining why a certain portion would not work; along with his recommend “fix”, which was always right! After one year of this, we were at work on a Saturday. I had just bought 10 “bags” of Acapulco gold (a hallucinogenic form of marijuana), I smoked some before coming to work, so I was setup to be testified to. Tim shared Jesus with me and I listened, knowing for the past year that what Tim told me was always correct. Two days later God met me in my private restroom, put His arms around me and said, “I love you!” I dropped to my knees and cried out “I’m sorry” not knowing the proper words to pray, this massive burden was lifted from me and I began my wonderful journey. I knew nothing of the Bible so one day I put a couple of “joints” in my pocket and asked Tim to have one with me and we would study! (What did I know?). Tim said, “no thanks” and we studied. Two days later I went to a revival, Tim’s wife sang “Sheltered in the Arms of God” I cried, went to the Altar and said, “Lord I want to stand for you!” The Lord said, “go home and get rid of all your drugs and alcohol” and He SANCTIFIED ME and MADE ME HOLY, DELIVERED ME FROM MY EVIL WAYS! I went home and joyfully dumped all drugs and booze down the drain, have never had a need or desire for it since (45 years ago May 17th, 1972)]
“You (made) known to me the path of life; you (filled) me with JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psa. 16:11)
HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS!
-Bill Stockham