Holiness Is Not Optional
Earlier this year as I was reading my Bible, the following verse jumped out at me:
Because I have cleansed you, and you were not cleansed, You will not be cleansed of your filthiness anymore, Till I have caused My fury to rest upon you. (Ezekiel 24:13)
I wonder how many people have turned to God and been forgiven, only to quickly return to their life of sin. How our Lord must grieve! People like to overlook holiness and insist that it’s not important but Hebrews 12:14 says:
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
That doesn’t sound optional to me … unless you don’t want to see God.
First Peter 1:15-16 says:
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’
No, friends, holiness is not optional. It is imperative if we desire eternal life. Begin to seek God today and ask Him to show you the areas of your life where holiness does not appear. Then ask Him to help you to change those things. Without Him, it’s impossible but with Him it’s attainable. Praise God!
So, are you saying we can “fall from grace” or are we “eternally secure”? (no argument intended, just not sure what you are saying)
Romans 12:1-2 is another reference that goes along with your post.
Actually neither. 🙂 I was more commenting on the fact that we were bought with a price–not so we could live as we please but so we could live for Christ in holiness and purity. Growing up, the way people talked, I was under the impression that, since nobody’s perfect, there’s no use trying to be. However, Scripture would not tell us to “be holy” if it were impossible to do so.
Thank you for referencing those verses in Romans. They are a perfect addition.