Be Holy Because God Is! 6-7–26

Welcome to the word for the week. If you had to do just one thing for God would you do it? Notice, I did not say could you do it? If you had one assignment from God would you complete it? If there was one thing from God that is absolutely not optional would you do it? If I told you that one thing covers a multitude of things in your life would you believe me? Well, that one thing is simple in theory but far more complex than we think. That one thing is to be ye holy for I am holy says the Lord. Yes, that it is it. The day you understand that and live by that is the day so many things in your life will change. That covers what you say, what you think, and how you see things in your life. That one statement is a reminder for us to stay before God and to never let go of Him. That one thing can be the difference in a whole lot of things in your life.

First, we need to establish that this is not something that is impossible for us to do. This is truly a basic command but it covers a lot in your life. This is not hard to do because it is God who works in us His will to do those things He tells us. The Holy Spirit leads us in all things so this should really be easy. Just follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and all will be well. Be ye holy is a way of life. Be holy in our actions. Be holy in our talk. Be holy in our thoughts. Holiness is a way of life. It is what all of God’s people should walk in. To be holy means to walk away from the desires of the flesh. It means to not give in to those thoughts of the mind that are not good for you. To be holy means to be an open book before God and His people. There is nothing to hide. No deceptive ways are needed because your heart’s desire is to do what pleases God.

To be holy means to guard what you say. What you say comes from the heart so when your heart is guarded then so is your tongue. To be holy means to talk peaceably among men. It means to put others before yourself. To be holy means to be upright and honest. If you had skeletons in the closet as we say they are long gone. You have already asked God to set you free so there’s nothing to hide. To be holy means to have a life of prayer. It means to have a relationship with God. To be holy means to have a willingness to do things God’s way. To be holy means you are not still fighting against the will of God. It means you take God at His word and you accept that He knows what is best for you. To be holy means you do not do the same things you used to do as a sinner. You do not keep on falling down over the same things as if you do not know better. To be holy means there is a character change within you. You are not the same because you understand you do not belong to yourself.

The reason you be holy is because God is holy. You are living your life in this world with the hope of one day spending an eternity with God. That means there must be change in your life. That means you have to want to be different. That means you are looking at life through a different motivation. You are not motivated for more things of the world. You are motivated for more of God. You thank God for the things but your heart still wants more of Him. The more you get from Him the more of Himself you find yourself wanting. You do not see God as a way to obtain more things. You see God for who He is. You know that holiness is possible because you know God is always with you. You know that you can do all things through Christ so being holy is simply something you have to follow Christ in. You do not trust you because you are aware of your old nature that lurks so close waiting on the moment to drag you down. When you are holy it is not because of you. It is because you have surrendered to God and you have a willingness to let Him lead the way in your life. This is not about us. It’s about Jesus!

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you in His grace,
Bishop Carlos J. Lennon