08/04/2024
In our lives we can endeavor to be holy, but holiness belongs solely to the Lord and only He can make us so. It is only by the movement and filling of the Holy Spirit that we are granted true holiness. Although we can seek to be holy, only through the Holy Spirit can we realize that goal. Scripture tells us much of God's holiness and it also contains our call to become holy.
“There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2 KJV
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 20:7 KJV
Pastor E.M. Bounds also spoke of holiness when he referred to it in this way:
"Consecration is the human side of holiness. In this sense, it is self-sanctification. But sanctification, or holiness in its truest and highest sense, is divine, the act of the Holy Spirit working in the heart, making it clean, and putting therein a higher degree of the fruit of the Spirit." – E. M. Bounds
As I read Leviticus 20:7 today, I could see a man on one knee and a king placing his sword alongside his head and declaring him a knight... "Rise sir Lancelot." There are certain things in life that must be bestowed on us; like college degrees, political offices, and judgeships. These are things we cannot claim on our own; we are being recognized as worthy of them. Similarly, this is true of holiness.
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:”
Deuteronomy 28:1 KJV
We can meet the human requirements and seek to raise ourselves to the higher distinction of divine holiness, but only God, through His Holy Spirit, can declare us so. No amount of study or right living can bestow holiness upon us; none save God.
Sometimes we think that because we see the outward signs of holiness in someone that they have achieved that status through works and prayer; and that they were able to earn that distinction from God by completing a certain set of tasks. Although it is true that holy people behave in certain ways that indicate their holiness, it is not true that acting in holy ways insures someone has been apportioned holiness by God. In other words... We can sanctify ourselves in as much as we are capable, but then God must step in and raise us up through grace to the higher level of divine holiness. It is a secret ceremony that typically escapes even the person on whom it is bestowed... Their humility hides it from their sight. They can't fathom that they are deserving, and so, others see it in them long before they can see it in themselves. God is mysterious, even in this, His secret ceremony of holiness.
So, as we strive to know, love, and serve God; as we seek to consecrate and purify ourselves, and as we increase in faith and human holiness through prayer and supplication... May God find us worthy of imparting His divine holiness upon us. May the sword of righteousness be placed upon our shoulder so gently and unobtrusively that only others see the freshly polished gleam of our saintly armor. May the humility and other fruits of His holiness appear to those who see the likeness of God shining forth from us.
I pray today that God will send His Holy Spirit to hover over us and lead us to divine holiness in our lives. I pray that in our lives we are earnestly seeking the Lord in such a way that will warrant our receiving this, His divine gift of holiness, and I pray that we will be allowed to see that change in those around us long before they realize it has been granted them. Not seeing, or sensing, holiness in ourselves is the ultimate sign of those who God has declared to be holy.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the holy men and women you have secretly ordained, and placed around us in our lives. Thank you for the work you are doing in each of our lives that is moving us in the direction of being ordained as divinely holy too. Thank you for the humble nature you instill in us that prevents the realization that we have been so ordained. Help us to continue unabated by pride in those things that have changed our character and nature, so that we please you, and at last have received your acknowledgement of divinity and holiness. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is solely Holy, and through whom all holiness must be given. Although you might make us holy, there is no grand ceremony, nor bold proclamation, only the quiet and subtle change in us that is your ordination… lest we become proud and feel deserving. Help us to recognize those you have made holy and set amongst us Father, and help us to discern the difference between those who seek holiness boldly of their own accord, and those who simply find themselves to have become holy in meekness, humility, and a subtle confidence in the quiet strength of their faith. In this way Holy Father let us stand before you in judgement believing that our only hope of being worthy is in Jesus, and completely surprised when you welcome us as good and faithful children… made holy by your secret ceremony.
Amen, Amen, Amen
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
“God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
May God give you more and more grace and peace.”
1 Peter 1:2 NLT
Rich Forbes