Flourishing in Holiness – Every Part Must Do Its Share

    As we conclude our study on ‘Flourishing in Holiness’ I would like you to consider a few more verses that speak of holiness. As you read these verses I would like you to keep in mind Ephesians 4:14-16:

 

“…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love , may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (NKJV)  

 

    Each of us need to be flourishing in holiness. If each one does their part, then we can better help each other grow stronger and we can better help establish new Christians in the faith.

 

“”Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:17- 7:1 NKJV)

 

    It is worth our every effort to keep our hearts and minds focused on wholly trusting and properly reverencing God (Hebrews 12:28-29) so that we use our time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-17) and remove what is filth and put on only what is holy. Are you actively identifying and removing filth in your heart and mind and replacing it with holiness?  

 

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging of the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, holy women who trusted in God, also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands…” (1 Peter 3:3-5 NKJV)

 

    As women pursuing holiness, our focus is on God and joying in His wisdom, proving to the world God’s good and acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). We develop gentle and quiet spirits, we respect our husbands and do not belittle them; we submit to them as the leader and head of the home. Are you putting worldly purchases on display or are you displaying God’s word?  If you are married, are you respecting your husband and submitting to him as head?

 

“God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NKJV)

 

    God loved us so much that He sent His Son to live (giving us an example in how we should walk, 1 Peter 2:20-24, 1 John 2:3-6) and to die for us, to free us from the bondage on sin – how can we choose to continue in uncleanness when such a price was paid for our redemption? Are you being an example of uncleanness or holiness?

 

“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” (Hebrews 12:9-10 NKJV, see also Hebrews 3:1)

 

    God wants us to succeed. He has provided all that we need to do just that! He wants us to be corrected and understand the folly of bad habits and our dalliances with sin. God wants us to be partakers of His holiness – are we letting Him correct us?  

 

“Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26)

 

    God gave us one another and we are to greet one another in sincerity of heart and purity of mind. We should always be looking out for each other’s best interests – helping each other stay the course and draw closer to God (James 4:7-8). Are you doing your part? Are you paying attention to your brethren so that you can be guide them back if you see they are ‘growing cold’ (Matthew 24:12-13, Galatians 6:1-2), are you listening and observing so you can comfort them in their troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)? Are you making an effort to love your brethren with a pure and sincere heart so that you can benefit them in their walk?

 

“If anyone defile the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are… …having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 3:17 and Ephesians 2:20-22 NKJV)

 

    We need to respect not only our own bodies, but the body of Christ, the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), and do all that is necessary to keep ourselves holy, and do our part for the whole (Ephesians 4:16) – are you doing your part?

 

“…just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…” (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV, see also 1 Peter 2:9)

 

    God knew that there would be people who would seek Him and He provided His Son (and His sacrifice) to redeem them from the captivity of sin, so they could learn more of Him through His word, draw near to Him in obedience, and access Him through prayer for all that they needed by way of grace, mercy, comfort, and strength; so that they would be holy and without blame before Him in love. Are you seeking God as you should? Are you learning, drawing nearer, and accessing Him through prayer each day?

 

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV)

 

    We don’t need to be fearful of Jesus’ return if we are putting daily effort into pursuing what is holy (1 John 2:28-29). Are you allowing God to make you increase and abound in love for your brethren and all others so that He can establish your heart blameless (without fault) in holiness?

 

    God calls us to be holy; He commands us to be holy. He has provided all we need! Are you using all that God has provided to pursue holiness so that you can flourish in it? Are you becoming more like the Lord and less like the world?  By your example, are you helping your brethren to pursue holiness or half-heartedness? Learn to love God enough to want to be a partaker of his holiness, respect Him enough to cleanse yourself from sin’s filth, and joy in His promises enough to stay the course in becoming holy!  Are you ready to do your part?

 

You can do it! So can I!!