DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
Holiness seems to be a word that’s been lost in the modern Christian vocabulary, and it’s rarely understood by today’s believer. Yet the Scriptures state emphatically, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14 kjv). It’s impossible to see God without holiness of heart and life. Without holiness, we’ll never see and know the victory He gives to us. And we’ll not know the glory of God. If we desire to see God at work in our lives, we must pursue holiness.
So what is holiness and how do we get it? Biblical holiness stems from a Greek word that basically means “a life set apart for God.” A person can’t be holy while trying to hold on to God with one hand and the world with the other. A holy life has surrendered completely to God. But that doesn’t mean that a person is perfect. It simply means he has given his life to God — and is in the process of being perfected.
Holiness of life begins with holiness pursuing us — and is continued by our pursuing it. Holiness is a process that begins at the moment of conversion. When Christ’s Spirit enters our hearts, then holiness enters our lives, because His Spirit is the Holy Spirit. At that moment a process is begun toward conformity to the image of Christ. It’s a lifelong process.
It’s important that we understand two basic principles. First, we can’t make ourselves holy. That’s the deep work of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, we must pursue holiness of life. We must seek after the Holy Spirit’s work to make us conformed into the image of Christ. The Greek word in Hebrews 12:14 that says we should “follow peace with all men and holiness” is often used of a hunter pursuing his prey. We are exhorted to pursue holiness in the same manner —with diligence.
We have all the resources we need to become holy. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Bible, Christ’s victory on the cross, and Christian fellowship. Why then do we need to pursue holiness? We must never take these wonderful resources for granted. If our lives are to be victorious, we must fervently seek holiness. Because of Christ’s death on the cross, we have fellowship with one another. Yet we still need to seek a church (a fellowship of believers) where we can interact and grow in our faith. The same is true with holiness of life. Because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we have everything we need for victory. Yet to live that victory, we still need to pursue the leading and empowering of God’s Spirit.
The believer is called to be a follower. As we follow (pursue) the Holy Spirit’s leading, we will supernaturally, naturally be conformed to the image of Christ. That’s the Christian’s strategy for victory. We simply set out in pursuit of the Holy Spirit. We obey His leading. We follow His guidance. The result is holiness of life and purity of heart. Our conduct becomes what is pleasing to God. The Christian life begins with holiness pursuing us, but victory is maintained as we pursue holiness.
1 Peter : Chapter 1
13) Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15) But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16) for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a] 17) Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19) but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20) He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21) Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22) Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23) For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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