Galvanizing Ways to Walk in the Garden of Holiness

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7

Holiness is an unpopular topic in our culture and churches today. In fact, it’s almost extinct.  As self-proclaimed “Christians,” we have grown comfortable forgoing holy living to follow the convenient paths of our choices—doing our own things and walking our own ways. As a result, our lives are full of unnecessary struggles that God didn’t plan for us.

Is Holiness Unattainable?

I thought I knew what “holiness” was after spending most of my life in church and ministry, studying Scripture, hearing countless sermons and singing lyrics like, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty…” However, personal experience and discussions with friends led me to question human holiness and conclude that many “Christ-followers” don’t know what holiness is or feel it’s unattainable. It’s puzzling. How can we walk in holiness feeling like we can’t measure up to our skewed perspective of it?

Holiness is God’s Way.

It’s galvanizing to think the Creator planted a garden (Genesis 2:8) and meant for us to walk there with Him. I’ve imagined conversing with Him in that perfect and peaceful place. Unfortunately, sin ruined that tranquil experience (Genesis 3) when mankind was evicted from the garden but God’s plan didn’t change.

God is Holy and requires us to follow in His footsteps. First Peter 1:15-16 states, “But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” And, in 1 John 2:6 we see that, “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” So, how do we walk in holiness?

In the Strong’s Concordance, the term “Holy” (found in this 1 Peter passage) is defined in the Greek as being physically:

• Pure
• Moral
• Blameless
• Religious
• Consecrated

This may seem archaic and difficult to live up to. But, God didn’t instruct us to do the impossible. In fact, He graciously gave us directions to keep us on the right path. Here are four of those galvanizing ways:

1. Acknowledge that Creation is God’s World.
   “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

2. Accept that the Bible is God’s Word.
   “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable…” II Timothy 3:16

3. Admit that Accepting & Following Christ is God’s Way.
   “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

4. Agree that Living in Holiness is God’s Will.
   “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good , and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Holiness is attainable. It may be an uphill walk on a path we choose not to travel. But, if we want our hearts and homes to hum in harmony with the Creator and thrive in His Creation, holy living is the way to go.

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in His ways.”
Psalm 128:1

Bring It Home

Are you following God’s path of holiness or are you needing to change direction?

Praying for you as we grow together,

From My Heart & Home,
Smiles, BRC