KEY SCRIPTURE: [Matthew 3:2 “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

We now bring our discussion on holiness to end. The best way to take advantage of all that have been discussed about holiness is to apply all that you have learnt. The biblical principle for the proper application of whatever has been learnt is called repentance. It works on the principle to forsake the old ways to accept the new ones you have learnt. Repentance is therefore defined as a change of mind about certain things to accept new ways resulting in a change of actions.

In the light of the teachings on holiness we have to repent from our past believes and actions to accept all the truths about holiness and then truly walk in them. Repentance is a function of decision making. Good decisions are always a result of one’s submission to the truth received. Isa 1:18 ” Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” .The prophet Isaiah speaking by the inspiration of the Spirit of God says, we must reason with the Lord. This means to consider the word of God totally, submitting to what ‘he’ says. Then you throw away your old believes, ways and actions.  Finally, do what the word says. Your sins would be forgiven and you would reap the result of your obedience. Sins are always washed away when we confess them and accept God’s promise of forgiveness. (1st John 1:9)

One biblical example of one who repented truly was the prodigal son as revealed by Luke 15:18. ” I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,” This young man after reasoning through, his present state and that which prevails in his father’s house decided to go back to his father’s house. He stood up and left for his father’s house and that brought a glorious end to Him. Your decision to apply and do all that you have learnt about holiness would bring great blessings to you. Change your mind about all those ways you used to act. Accept the truth that says you are in the spirit and must only live in the spirit. Live now in the Spirit by doing only what the word of God says. Rom 8:14″ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”. The word ‘led’ as used in the above scripture also means ‘to be driven’. Be driven by God’s word only, concerning holiness. AMEN

CONFESSION

I have fully accepted the word of God on holiness. I have changed my mind concerning every thought, way or action and so I now act in line with the word of God.

FURTHER STUDIES

Isaiah 55:7 KJV “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”.

2 Corinth 7:1 KJV “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:12. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”

The Lord Jesus made the following observation about men in John 3:19 which reads, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”. Men naturally love darkness. This is the reason living a holy life in this unholy world becomes a challenge. The system would oppose you. Consider a state department which has been taking bribes before certain cheques are signed. You as a Christian decide not to pay that bribe. This officer puts your cheque somewhere and the loan you took to execute that contract starts accruing interest. The bank starts calling for loan repayment. The officer says put some fat envelope on my table before you take your cheque. What do you do as a sincere child of GOD?

As a young lady graduate you go seeking for a job. The boss says let me have you for a night and the employment with some benefits would be yours. Meanwhile your parent’s rent has expired and you would be ejected if you don’t have money to pay. The scripture said all who would live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution. The bible said, not all men have faith. They would put every pressure for you to give in.

Dear child of God, do not yield under any of these conditions. WE serve a miraculous God who would come through for you. There are cases when things don’t get better but worse. There may be times when you would have to go hungry because you decided to stand for Christ. Remember that some have been killed because of their faith in the Lord. Do not compromise your stance. Victory to the Christian is not when all things go well but when you keep faith with the Lord.

The Lord allowed Job to be tempted because he knew Job would not fail and that was his crown. Persecutions are tools of the enemy to break us down, yet they are God’s medium to receive glory unto his name when we overcome. Read Job 1:6—12. You would discover that God our father believes we love him, and serve Him not because of what he does for us alone, but also, we sincerely love Him even above our comfort. Do not compromise.

CONFESSION

I have decided to follow Jesus. There is no turning back. No matter the opposition or loss, I would not give up my holy walk. My father is glorified when I stand for Him in the midst of the trials.

FURTHER STUDIES

Revelations 2:11. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death”.

1 Peter 1:7. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”:

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:15. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”;

In our previous study we looked at quite a depressive picture of the condition of many Christians. We saw that many Christians are not living to the standard that God has stated. We also realized that there is a power beyond man that makes him act against God’s way. Ephesians 2:2 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”: The man who does not know this maintains a downward turn of his morals. Every man no matter who you are, whether a Christian who is living a sinful life, or an unbeliever is under the influence this spirit of the power of the air.

The bible calls it the mystery of iniquity which is already at work in men. 2Thesalonians 2:7” For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way”. The man without Christ needs to realize he is under a kind of bondage that makes him steal, fornicate and cheat. Now understand that a dysfunctional moral life is a failure, and a misery no matter what you think you are getting. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold”. The cravings of the flesh are deceitful. Come to Jesus and allow a higher power to set you free from this evil power of the air, making you disobedient to God’s word. Stop the corrupted life and submit to the Lordship of Jesus.

I speak also to the Christian who has allowed this evil power to rule him. That life of cheating, Fornication, lying, quarreling and many more are not your portion. You have stooped too low to a far lower spirit to rule your life. Jesus is your Lord, so make Him your Lord indeed. A Lord is the owner of a thing. He has absolute right over that thing. Jesus owns you and wants to live His beautiful life through you. The scripture says submit to God, resist the devil and he would flee from you. (James 4:7) Please say to that negative influence that, today I will no more live that filthy life any longer. I refuse to be a slave to any wrong life. I WILL live to glorify the Lord from this moment.

CONFESSION

I am sorry O God for my error of living unto myself. I surrender my life absolutely to you, Jesus: to live for your glory. Lord Jesus be Lord over my life. My life shall continually express your holiness.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 2:13. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure”.

Romans 12:1. “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”.

KEY SCRIPTURE; Philippians 2:15. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”;

How does the Christian stay holy in a world filled with unrighteousness? The reality of the state of decay is that the power behind this spate of evil is spiritual. Ephesians 2:2, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”: This power of evil has almost permeated every facet of our world. Evil and unrighteousness has taken roots in our political systems, our educational systems, our judicial structures. The commercial sector is also deeply in the grips of this evil power. Our media department is assaulted by the evil one. How would the Christian survive in such a world?

The scripture instructs us that although the system is so corrupt, we must be blameless. It adds the following Philippians 2:16

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain”. God expects us to stand out clean. It is rather amazing, to have certain nations with the greater majority of the populace claiming to be Christians yet, corruption and evil abounds so much. An example is a nation like Ghana with over 60% saying their Christians yet, the state departments have been overwhelmed by corruption. In most of these places’ services would never be signed until you have paid bribes. Certain aspects of the government machinery would not allow projects to be passed on without taking their cuts. Most of the people who do these things have very responsible positions in their churches. Some of the pastors and prophets have their hands and bodies soiled with the corruption of the world. These actions have gotten so rampant that, it has become an acceptable norm.

There are some pastors, who come to meetings with the idea that, he is going to make sure everyone goes home with an empty pocket. This is robbery in the name of God. Some Christians play with their mobile phones as church services proceed. Dear Christian you must be unblameable. You should never be named among those who demand sex for job or grades in school. This thing is a blow far below the belt. What kind of Christian are you? Are you a holy Christian or you have joined the world to sing its chorus that says “we are all in the same waters.”? Dear child of God you are never in the waters of the world with THEM. You are the light of the world. You have been called out of the WORLD.STAY OUT OF ITS INFLUENCE.

PRAYER

Oh, father I pray for every Christian that together we would maintain our holiness and shine as true lights in our world in a world of sin and wickedness.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 4:18. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”.

Matt 5:16. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Psalm 9:10. “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee”.

Holiness is to forsake sin and all the wrong ways and pursue after God and His ways. This is the essence of life. In our previous studies we realized that we must not seek other things through God or in a better rendering we must not use God to obtain our ambitions. We rather give our lives into God’s hands by seeking after Him and doing what He wants us to do. In doing this the great and amazing potential deposited in us show forth and the name of the Lord is glorified. 1Peter 2:9

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”: The phrase to’ show forth the praises of Him’ also means to manifest the mighty deeds of the Father.

God can only work out His deeds through us when we yield ourselves to His course ‘When the Lord Jesus desired to feed the multitude of people, He asked His disciples to give Him the five loaves and two fishes that the disciples found. Those loaves by themselves could not feed even two people, yet when the master took a hold of it, He blessed it, broke it and gave it to the disciples. You are a bundle of miracles and wonder to all men so long as you are in the hands of the master. Seek after Him with all your heart. Never long for other things. It is a diversion from the WAY. Matthew 14:20 says after Jesus had given the loaves to the disciples, they also shared it among the people and five thousand men besides women and children were also fed, leaving twelve baskets full as left over.

God’s call unto holiness is a call to ultimately show forth his power and might by bringing solutions to the questions of men. Many Christians have shied away from a holy walk because of dominion by their flesh. Others have woefully seen the call unto holiness as a religious commitment, without any relevance to the world. He said we are the light of the world. What does this mean? It means we are the solution to the questions of the world. This is the reason He did not take us out of the world but left us here to make real impact on the earth. Men must see our light and give glory to our father. Holiness is a pursuit of God to

show His greatness among humanity, so they would glorify the Lord and ultimately surrender to Him as Lord over them.

CONFESSION

I manifest the glory of God in my life. I seek the Lord with all my heart. God also working through me is doing mighty deeds through me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalm 22:26 & 27. “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live forever”. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Psalms 27:4. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matt 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”

 Life is only meaningful when God is put first. He is the one who holds the agenda that must be fulfilled in each person’s life. When a man pursues after God and yields to Him, then all that God has destined for that individual are fully realized in him.  Psalm 34:10

“The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing”. The life of David is a clear manifestation of the great blessing to the man who seeks totally after God.

The following was the description of the exceptional potentials of David, because of his unflinching devotion to God. 1Samupel 16:18 “Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him” .Aii these qualities had filled David because the Lord was with him. The man who is truly devoted to God is vested with unique potentials to fulfill the purposes of God among men. Another example of a man who distinguished himself in his relationship with men as a result of his devotion to God was Daniel

Daniel was taken as a hostage into Babylon yet his pursuit of God unearthed amazing potentials in him such that he became a spiritual eye of the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar. He became one of the three presidents in the whole kingdom. Daniel 6:3 “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” . Holiness makes you heavenly prepared and earthly useful as well.

Note, you can’t be a real pursuer of God and not be of great significance on the earth. True holiness is your key to realizing your real potentials.

CONFESSION

I am a pursuer of the Lord. My life is totally given to His course. I am filled with every good thing that blesses my world. I have a very fulfilled life in every way.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalm 42:1″ To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”

Exodus 36:1″ Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:6 KJV ” Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”.

The fundamental definition for holiness is to be set apart for God. It means a separation from wrong things and ways to go after God. God’s highest desire for His children is to desire and follow after God. Act 13:22 ” And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” .It is not enough talking about stopping wrong things, God seeks for those who would hunger for Him.

According to God David was a man who pursued after Him. He added that David would do His will. The pursuit of God is indeed true holiness.

Men are naturally seekers. As a baby he seeks mother’s milk. He then seeks to be schooled. As he grows, he seeks for a job, then seeks to be married, and he goes for wealth and the pursuit goes on and on. Unfortunately, men naturally would not seek after God but go for carnal things. Psalm 4:2 “O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah”. The word leasing as used in the scriptures mean deceitful, lying or falsehood. Stop pursuing lying things.

Many children of God come to church because they are looking for something carnal and not after God. Many are using God to get what they hunger for. This is idolatry. It could be the anointing, fame, wealth or what have you? Nothing is higher than God Himself. The basic difference between David and Saul is that David longed for God, to please Him, while Saul longed for other things, like establishing his kingship by using God. Don’t fall for this temptation. Never grow satisfied longing after God. In God lies your true potentials, fulfillment and finally establishment.

PRAYER

O God give me a hunger for you and to please you, in all I do. May I never use you to obtain anything but allow you to use me to get what you want through me. Help me o God.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments”.

Psalms 14:2 ” The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Psalm 146:8, “The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous”:

WE continue with our discussion on the rewards of holiness.

30. The holy man is blessed with sound wisdom. Proverbs 2:7

“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly”. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The righteous walks on right paths, and this is wisdom. (Please read Romans 1:22-23) When men fail to honour God and choose to follow their own inclinations they become fools. It is very shocking to see intellectuals who have studied so much accept homosexuality, lesbianism and even men marrying animals. A goat would not marry a sheep for anything. Nature abhors such a thing, yet men who refuse to glorify God, professing to be wise have accepted such unwise things.

The Bible says in   Psalm 25:9 that “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way”. The righteous, humbles himself unto the Lord and so receives sound wisdom from the Lord. In Proverbs 2:10-11, the following is what happens to the righteous man when wisdom feels his heart: “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee”: Many grievous troubles have befallen certain individuals because they lacked wisdom.

31. Holiness delivers a man from death: Proverbs 10:2

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing but righteousness delivers from death”. The Hoy man has chosen the path of righteousness and so has life and peace. Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”. God preserves his soul, and the devil cannot kill him before his time. The righteous has a merry heart and the word says it does good as medicine. This is one of the things that delivers the righteous from death. Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones”. This is not so with the wicked. Isaiah 57:20 -21 “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked”. Peace is the tonic of life, that makes living worthwhile, and without it one is as good as dead

CONFESSION

As the righteous of the Lord I am delivered from death. I always maintain a joyful heart and it gives soundness to my body. Each day of my life is a celebration. My life moves forward and upwards only.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 12:28. “In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death”

Proverbs 12:26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Psalms 72:7. “In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth”.

The rewards for the holy man are immense, and it is always advantageous to feed the mind with much reasons why a particular thing is necessary. A convinced mind easily yields to what it is convinced about.

25. God shall exalt the horn of the righteous. Psalms 75:10

“All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted”. The horn symbolizes the strength or glory of the animal. The righteous shall be glorified and exalted. The Lord the promoter of men would promote the righteous. Psalm 75:6. “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south”. It is the Lord who promotes and the righteous shall be exalted high.

26. The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree: Psalm 92:12

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon”. Once again God assures us of the glorious life of righteous man. He shall flourish like the palm tree. A palm tree is an amazing tree. It is a very fruitful plant in every aspect of it. The bible says the righteous shall grow like the cedar of Lebanon. This tree is a very tall tree and very strong .it is almost impregnable. This is the picture of a righteous man. He shall be higher in honor than all his peers. He is also indestructible.

27. The righteous shall be in remembrance forever: Psalms 112:6

“Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance”. The scripture is saying God will always come through for the righteous man or woman. Certain life situations are quite deplorable and it seems the wicked may be having their way. The bible says the righteous would not be moved forever. If a colleague seems to be taking an advantage of you, please maintain your righteousness. Do not decide to retaliate.  God would judge your case and your adversary shall be the loser.

28. The voice of salvation and rejoicing are in the house of the righteous. Psalms 118:15

“The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly”. God answers and saves the righteous. Joy continually springs forth from the righteous because God delivers them. It is always a blessing and advantageous to take the path of the righteous.

29. The rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous. Psalms 125:3

For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. This is a divine decree. The torment and affliction programmed by the wicked shall not stay on the righteous. Anytime evil seems to stay around your life unduly, please stand on this scripture and resist the enemy, and he will lift his rod of affliction from you. The Lord will deliver you because it is not your portion to be subjected to the dictates of the wicked.

CONFESSION

I walk the path of the righteous and God promotes me, exalting my horn above all my adversaries. I will never be moved forever for I am always remembered by the Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 3:31-35, Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely, he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Psalm 45:7. “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows”.

We continue with our discussion on the rewards of holiness

21. The holy man shall be anointed with the oil of gladness; Psalm 45:7

“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows”. The word gladness has the same translation in certain portions of the old testament as joy or rejoicing. Joy is the strength of the child of God. The provisions of salvation are withdrawn by joy or gladness. Isa 12:3

“Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation”. One manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit in a man is Gladness of heart. Gladness of heart is the fertile ground on which the anointing of the Spirit functions. The Lord says He shall anoint the righteous with the oil of gladness.

22. The righteous shall not be moved. Ps 55:22

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved”. Crises in life come to all men but the righteous shall cast his burden or challenges unto the Lord. He shall not be moved. To the upright in heart would salvation appear as light. Psalm 112:4

“Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous”. Dear righteous one are you in any crises ,be not dismayed, The answer has already been provided.

23. The righteous shall rejoice over the vengeance of the wicked. Psalm 58:10

“The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked”. When the Lord protected Daniel from being eaten up by the lions, those who plotted his destruction were cast into the lion’s den. God will surely avenge the righteous. Never be worried at the plots of the wicked, they are rather setting a trap for their own destruction. Never fight them God your father will fight for you, and you would not lift a finger.

24. The righteous shall surely be rewarded Psalms 58:11

“So that a man shall say, verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth”. Dear child of God, maintain your life of Holiness and uprightness because there is always a reward for your right actions. It may be a kind deed to one who may not be able to reward you in kind in any way. Whatever you do to the least of the brethren you do it to the Lord. When Joseph kept his uprightness, things seemed to go bad instead yet in God’s time he was rewarded. From the dungeon of the prison he became the vice president of the whole Land. Your rewards are on the way. 1Co 15:58

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”

CONFESSION

As the righteous of the Lord my labour will not be in vain, God always rewards me. The wicked that plots evil against me will always receive the vengeance of the Lord; I am anointed with the oil of Gladness. Hallelujah

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalm 64:10. “The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory”.

Psalms 72:7. “In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth”.