“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth”
(Ephesians 4:17-24)
With temptation swirling around us each day, it?s hard to walk in what we consider “holiness.” But that might be because we don?t truly understand holiness.
We often equate holiness with a pious life, one devoid of sin at all times. But holiness isn?t a trait you earn.
Holiness comes when you understand your position in Christ. Once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and ask God to forgive your sins, God?s Holy Spirit begins to dwell in you. And one thing is for certain: God is holy. So, if God is holy and His Holy Spirit inhabits you, wouldn?t that make you holy as well?
The minute you gave your life over to the Lord, you became holy. Peter reminds us of our call to live a holy life: “Because it is written, ?You shall be Holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). God wouldn?t require us to do something that we couldn?t do.
Walking in holiness comes when we are no longer comfortable with sin. As sin becomes more repulsive, we grow more attracted to His ways, His ways that are higher than ours.
No longer should we desire to walk in the way of the ungodly, nor should it feel comfortable. (Proverbs 1:15) God has saved us from sin. And when we remember this and choose His way each time temptation crosses our paths, we will walk in holiness.
About the Author
This article was written by Charles Stanley. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/charles-stanley/
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