There are two types of Holiness: One is positional (legal) and the other is relationship-based. Our focus is on the second: relationship-based Holiness.
Let us review Scriptures from yesterday’s post. Why? I believe that our pursuit of Holiness is the most critical pursuit we can focus on in order to walk in the power of The Holy Spirit. Our positional Holiness provides us with “authority”, but the closeness in our relationship provides us with “power from On High.”
Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Peter chapter 1:
15 But like the Holy One who called you, be Holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your Godly character and moral courage];
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 12:
14 Pursue peace with all people, and Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
James continues:
1True spirituality that is pure in the Eyes of Our Father God is to make a difference in the lives of the orphans, and widows in their troubles, and to refuse to be corrupted by the world’s values.
Each of us decides what we allow ourselves to be exposed to in our daily lives. Power from On High will not flow with corruption.
James is addressing his brothers and sisters in Christ in chapter 4:
7 So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.
8 Move your heart closer and closer to God, and He will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.
9 Feel the pain of your sin, be sorrowful and weep! Let your joking around be turned into mourning and your joy into deep humiliation.
10 Be willing to be made low before the Lord and HE will exalt you!
As we move closer to Our Heavenly Father, HE will move closer to us in an intimate relationship. Sin cannot exist in the immediate Presence of GOD! Do you really want to remain afar off from HIS Presence?
Moses recorded by THE SPIRIT in Exodus chapter 20:
18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”
21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
FATHER invited the children of Israel to come closer, yet they were in fear of HIS Presence. Are you willing to sacrifice all to be in HIS immediate presence? Who will be able to stand before Our Heavenly Father as the Bride of Christ?
The Beloved Disciple wrote what he saw and heard by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 19:
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the thunderous voice of a great multitude, like the sound of a massive waterfall and mighty peals of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord Our God, the Almighty, reigns!
7 Let us rejoice and exalt Him and give Him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come. And His bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, shining bright and clear, has been given to her to wear, and the fine linen represents the righteous deeds of His Holy believers.”
The “covering” of the fine linen can be translated as the “blessings of the Holy ones” due to their righteous acts.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
When we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness as our top priority, we do so by pursuing Holiness. This pursuit allows us to have a closer relationship with FATHER and in response, He is able to abundantly bless us to carry out righteous, selfless acts.