HOLINESS IS OUR WATCHWORD AND SONG

HOLINESS IS OUR WATCHWORD AND SONG

"For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation]. - 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (AMP)

Few days ago, I read an article on the unique disposition of a small animal called Ermine. Below is the extract of the article:  

"An Ermine is a cute little animal with shining black eyes and beautiful fur. Its fur is whiter than an egg shell or a lily and only freshly fallen snow can boast of such whiteness. The Ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. Indeed, the animal's most unusual characteristic is it's hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunters who know this will fill the burrow of an Ermine with filth and wait with their dogs for the furry animal to return. Once the Ermine spots the dogs, it will not enter the soiled safety of its home/burrow. Rather, the Ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a blood stained coat than live with a dirty one. For the Ermine, purity is more precious than life. " - (Million Mighty Men Newsletters , July 7, 2003) 

God expect all believers to cherish and protect their purity like this wise animal in the above article. We must make conscious effort to keep ourselves undefiled from the dirt of sin until we see our Saviour in glory. The wild hunters of this wicked world will always attempt to soil our burrow with dirt. Devil - that same hunter who soiled the garments of Adam and Eve with dirt in the garden of Eden has not gone on vacation. Hence, we must always be prepare to do whatever it will take to abstain from the dirt that can stain our beautiful apparel of holiness. As believers, holiness must be our watchword and top priority everyday. It must be evidenced in the decisions we make and the things we do, hour by hour, day by day. The call to live a holy life is not optional but mandatory for those who wants to enter the mansions above (1 Peter 1:16 & Hebrews 12:14) .

There are many examples of wise people who value their purity more than their lives in the Bible. For example, Daniel refused to defile his purity with the sumptuous meal from the kitchen of  king Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1-9). Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego refused to soil their purity with the golden image of the King of Babylon ( Daniel 3:1-20). Those young boys were willing to die in purity/holiness like the Ermine rather than bowing to the hunters of Nebuchadnezzar. Can you imagine what would have happened to these young boys if they had compromised their purity or holiness for the temporary applaud of Babylonians? Also, Joseph refused to stain his white apparel with the free sex offered to him by Mrs Potipher. He fled like the Ermine from the enticing but soiled grip or embrace of Mrs Potipher (Genesis 39:7-20). Imagine, what would have become of Joseph's dream years later if he had consented to soil his white apparel of purity/holiness with five minutes enjoyment with Mrs Potipher?  

Beloved, the examples above were written to encourage us to cherish purity more than our lives too and to make holiness our watchword in the race of life. Unfortunately, Holiness is no longer a top priority in many Christian gatherings today. Praying to live a holy life is no longer in vogue but we spend hours praying for material blessings. We are now more interested in growing the numbers than labouring to see the divine nature evidenced in our lives ( 2 Peter 1:4). The statements made by the renown Baptist Preacher, C.S. Spurgeon (1834-1892) below speaks volume. How I wish we can allow it to resonate in our soul and change our orientation on holiness:

"You will not gain holiness by standing still. Nobody ever grew holy without consenting, desiring, and agonizing to be holy. Sin will grow without sowing, but holiness needs cultivation. Follow it; it will not run after you. You must pursue it with determination, with eagerness, with perseverance, as a hunter pursues his prey." - C. H. Spurgeon 

Friends, are you struggling to live a holy life?  Will you like to pursue holiness within and without with the whole of your being like the Ermine? Will you make holiness your watchword until you see Christ in Glory? Will you like to respond to the call unto holiness today? If your answers to these questions is "Yes", then, please join me to prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this powerful hymn below as we trust God for grace to perfect holiness in the fear of God till we see Him. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

CALL UNTO HOLINESS by Mrs C.H. Morris (1862 - 1929)

Called unto holiness, Church of our God,
Purchase of Jesus, redeemed by His blood;
Called from the world and its idols to flee,
Called from the bondage of sin to be free.

Refrain:
       Holiness unto the Lord is our watchword and song;
       Holiness unto the Lord as we’re marching along.
       Sing it, shout it, loud and long:
       Holiness unto the Lord! now and forever.

Called unto holiness, children of light,
Walking with Jesus in garments of white
Raiment unsullied, nor tarnished with sin;
God’s Holy Spirit abiding within.

Called unto holiness, praise His dear name!
This blessed secret to faith now made plain:
Not our own righteousness, but Christ within,
Living, and reigning, and saving from sin.

Called unto holiness, bride of the Lamb,
Waiting the Bridegroom’s returning again!
Lift up your heads, for the day draweth near
When in His beauty the King shall appear!

My prayer for you and my humble self is that God will keep us holy, spotless and undefiled until the Bridegroom shall return to take us to our country home in Heaven. But in case your white apparel had been defiled already, please cry unto God for mercy and rededicate your life to Jesus Christ today. Please do it now.  

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, I want to invite you to the April 2019 Holy Ghost service. Date: Friday- April 5th,  2019. Theme: Swimming In Glory - Part 4 (subtitle: Born To Shine). Time: 7pm (Nigerian Time). Venue: Redemption Camp, Km 46 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Nigeria. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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