Holiness Is Required! 11-16–25

Welcome to the word for the week. If God measured us the same way this world does many people would be quite alright. They would have no trouble and not a thing to worry about. The reason for that is because this world measures people by what they either have or how they “act” in front of a crowd. In other words, this world does not care if you are authentic or not. They do not care if you are saved or not. What matters to this world is do you look the part. If one is in the world then that is fine and they are right on schedule. However, if you plan on living a life that is pleasing to God then the ways of this world are meaningless. They are not going to carry you anywhere because that is not what God is looking for or what He has called us to. Let’s dig deeper in this.

The bible says a LOT about God’s commands and how we should live before Him. There is a lot to learn and it takes time to learn how to live by it. However, there are a few things that simply having a grasp on that helps you to sum things up for a better understanding. One of those things is to be holy for God is holy. The command is not difficult at all. Be ye holy for I am holy saith the Lord. God is literally telling us to be what He is. No, there is nothing difficult about this. The blueprint and the example have already been set before. There is an entire blueprint called the Holy Bible and the best example in Jesus Christ. The bible spells out the plan and the life of Jesus shows us how to live it. If you want to learn the power of prayer, faith, forgiveness, fasting, and trusting God you simply have to look at Jesus. He did all of that and showed us that it is really possible.

Now think about this twofold plan for a moment. God speaks His word and the people acted like it was the most difficult thing to do. At one point they even said that the way of the Lord was not fair. So God sends His only begotten Son and says whosoever believes in His Son shall be saved. What did a lot of people do when His son confirmed this and began to teach them about God’s plan? They walked away and followed Him no more. In other words, once it became more than they bargained for they simply walked away. Yet, the same Son said all things are possible if you only believe. So is the problem of serving God due to it being too difficult? The answer is no. Is the problem due to people that do not understand His plan? No, because if we ask we shall receive. So what is the problem? The problem comes down to our willingness. Do we really want God the way we say we do or do we simply want what He can give us?

The litmus test that you can give yourself to determine how much you really want God is not a secret. There are a few questions you can ask yourself. Do you realize you do not belong to yourself? Are you willing to accept that you do not have the option to do anything your way if you want to please God? Do you realize your life must be an open book before not only God but His people? Do you realize that you set the example for others to follow? Do you realize that His people are the salt of the earth? It is up to us to show others through example what it means to be a Christian. This journey is made difficult because of our selfishness and disobedience. Those are the two things that cause the beginning of our downfall. Jesus paid the price for your life with His blood. God forgave when you got saved and since you have been saved from countless sins. He has kept you when you could not keep yourself. He has done the miraculous, turned things around in your favor, and opened doors that you did not qualify for. All He asks of us is that we would honor Him by being holy because He is. Is that really too much to ask of you from the one and true living God? Remember this last part, you will surely one day give an account for the things you did in this life. What will your answer be then?

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