"To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thess 3:13).
Holiness is a word that is often overlooked in our modern day Christian paradigm. And if it isn't overlooked, then it's often misconstrued for external obedience, and outward "yes sirs". In reaction to this popular thought, Christians become belabored errand boys as opposed to the spiritual holy giants the world is aching to see come forth. What a sad error!
For this reason, we often turn to partake of the "other side" of Christianity's coin. Holiness is viewed as a gross task, a labor, a hardship, and is therefore avoided. Holiness is often seen as a stretch to one's comfort, a poison to one's common place, and a venom to one's natural position in life. But I must disagree with such thoughts; I just cannot concur. I don't believe holiness is a harsh labor at all. Rather, I believe holiness is a Person, and His name is Jesus (Lk 3:22; 1 Pet 1:15-16). To Mary, the angel said, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Lk 1:35). Therefore, our personal holiness is simply the growing and conscious choice to allow His holy residence within us. It isn't a labor to be dreaded, but a joy towards wondrous communion. It isn't just another task to check off the list, but an anticipation of divine relation. Will we allow Jesus residence? Is there room in your inn? "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Matt 3:11). To acquire the Holy Ghost is to acquire just that.. His Holiness, in Spirit form (Rom 1:4).
So why should we possess such holiness? What is to be our motivation for radical obedience? Why are we to acquire such holy graces, via His Holy Spirit? Friends, it's simply because God will only be surrounded by those beings in His creation who share in His holiness. Consistently, in the book of Revelation, God is pictured as being surrounded by mighty living creatures, myriads of angels, martyrs, elders, and redeemed men, all of whom were made holy by God's will and action. Whether they are "holy angels", "holy prophets", or "holy men", God will always only be surrounded by those who share in His holy graces.
I am convinced that God still longs for the intimate companionship and fellowship He had with man before sin defiled his holiness and forced his expulsion from God's presence. The words "Adam... where art thou" continue to ring throughout the heavenly realm, seeking and searching for a human response (Gen 3:9)! No amount of holy angels can take the place man should have in the heavenlies, for "the Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance" (Deut 32:9). God is not angry with man; He long ago forgave Him from his sins, and sat down - denoting finality and completion (Heb 1:3). It's a done deal! God simply cannot and will not have communion with a defiled saint, but He can and will cleanse him. Holiness and unholiness cannot fellowship together, for one of the primary manifestations of true holiness is a hatred of sin. But while God cannot fellowship with or accept the unholy, He can and will share His holiness with anyone who genuinely desires fellowship with Him, and longs to acquire this said holy, divine relation. God passionately yearns to have this kind of communion with you, and with me. He certainly had it with the Lord Jesus, and He was a man. He was the forerunner. We're to follow in His footsteps, enabled by His graces, propelled by the prospect of eternal loving communion with God!
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