A Call to holiness
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“For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity]. Therefore, whoever disregards (sets aside and rejects this) disregards not man but God, Whose [very] Spirit [Whom] He gives to you is holy (chaste, pure).
—I Thessalonians 4:7-9
I grew up in a small town Pentecostal church, secure within denominational boundaries. It was during the time when being identified as holy-rollers and belonging to a sanctified church was ridiculed.
The entire student body of the school I attended knew I was a member of the sanctified church. As a teenager, I was ashamed because word spread rapidly that I could not participate in the extracurricular activities because of my religious beliefs. Of course, they weren’t my beliefs. I just had to live as if they were mine.
I recall the embarrassment and the isolated feelings that attacked my soul frequently because I was an only child. I felt out of touch with reality, not to mention denial of the chance to enjoy teenage life. After all, it was boring enough growing up in a small country town not on the map, so I thought.
My frustrations grew for four long years of high school. By my senior year, I presented my case before the court and jury of one—my mother. I won my case without deliberation. Free at last! Finally, I could attend a basketball game occasionally. I immediately began designing my own outfits, which consisted of styles banned in the past. However, this was after my grandmother went home to be with the Lord.
Although sadden by Mama’s (my grandmother) death, I’m somewhat ashamed to admit my selfish sigh of relief. I anticipated the beginning of a new life of freedom for me. Needless to say, it wasn’t a major lifestyle adjustment to the extent I anticipated. Godly principles and biblical teachings continued to dominate our home although Mama was gone. Perhaps, her spirit of holiness permeated the atmosphere. What she’d taught in word and deed lived on— much prayer, fasting and consecration. Her motto taken from the Bible—it’s holiness or hell— is what she taught and lived!
Now, reflecting on her sincerity of heart to live a pleasing life before God and men, I appreciate her commitment to the call to holiness. Today I hold the highest esteem for my grandmother and mother because they, and others like them, chose to live “holy”.
It didn’t matter to them that they were called "holy-rollers". They were proud to be classified as "peculiar" rather than lower God’s standards of living and be labeled hypocrites.
Yes, I lived by a long list of do’s and don’ts growing up. And, yes, they emphasized the external (outward appearance) rather than the internal (heart). However, I believe they provided balance in the demonstration of holy living. An expression of genuine love prevailed among fellow believers. They prayed earnestly for each other. They shared their possessions freely with others. They dressed the part, inside and out. Their lifestyle illuminated with a reverence for God.
It’s baffling to witness many today who profess high moral standards, but their lifestyle reveals the truth. The “Saints” (as they were called then) were committed to living lifestyles that modeled purity and consecration.
They took the Bible literally as God’s inspired Word. Illiteracy among the greater percentage of congregants and leaders made contextual interpretation of Scripture unlikely. Therefore, many preachers and teachers interpreted the scripture at face value. For example, if the Bible said, “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God,” that settled it. For them it was that simple! Obey the Word of God. Keyword— obey!
As a minor, under authority I obeyed their biblical teachings. Actually, frustrations were short-lived once I changed my attitude toward the matter. I noticed the world didn’t end, and I survived living within boundaries and with limitations. Truth is, my obedience to their commands prevented troublesome incidents and kept me from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Consequently, because of strict rules, guidelines, and high standards protected me from dangerous situations. As an adult I can better understand and appreciate the importance of obedience to governing principles and guidelines. (“Live as children of obedience to God; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires that governed you in your former ignorance when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel. But as the One who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.” I Peter 1:15-16
I’m convinced that my restricted lifestyle was hands-on training in holiness that prepared me for answering God’s call to holiness today.
Living in obedience to God’s standards in character, conversation and conduct should be the desire of every Christian serious about their relationship with Christ. Living in
obedience to God’s command to be holy keeps us from self-destruction and eternal damnation.
Has God lowered His standards for the 21st Century so that we can participate in the many extracurricular activities that appeal to our egocentric lifestyles? Are we driven by the need to conform to the world’s systems that we devote our time to meditating on ways to compromise; and then, read the Bible to try finding justification for our worldly desires?
From the Old Testament to the New Testament, He has commanded that we be holy like Him (Leviticus 11:44, I Peter 1:15-16; I Thessalonians 4:7-9). Holiness is the identifying trait of our Father. If we are His children then we should possess at least some of His characteristics! Holiness (purity) is one of His many attributes that make Him God—He is HOLY! He is JUST. He is LOVE. Will you answer His call to holiness?
What is holiness? And what does it mean to live holy? Holiness is a standard of living that governs attitudes and actions in day-to-day living. This standard of living is demonstrated in character, conduct, and conversation. A life of holiness is not achieved overnight. It is a process and requires commitment to following Christ and His teachings. It is impossible to live holy without repentance from evil thoughts, and/or saying and doing the wrong thing. A life of holiness can only be lived through personal surrender to the Holy Spirit. Holiness is not pious masquerading or flaunting an attitude of perfection; instead, it is being big enough to say, “I’m sorry. I messed up.” It is being confident in the sufficiency of God’s grace to admit, “I have sinned against God…I was wrong. I repent. Please forgive me.”
The first step to answering the call to holiness is making the decision to do so.
“For I am the Lord your God; so consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy…” Leviticus 11:44
Again, I ask, “Will you answer the call to holiness today?”
ab
© Queen E. F. Phillips. All rights reserved. NOT-FOR-PROFIT use only requires prior written permission from the author. Credit must be given to copyright owner.